The outcome of the wrangle will have significance for the candidate elected in fourth place, who will have to wait for Brexit in order to take their seat in Brussels. However, it will have no effect on Ms Boylan, who has lost out on transfers to rival left-wing independent Clare Daly, although that has yet to be officially declared.

On twitter Ms Boylan said she was “hurting but not broken” and added she would be taking a few days off but would “be back in some shape or form”.

Counting has also been suspended in the Midlands/North/West constituency, where Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy remains in third place after four counts. He is well placed to retain his seat alongside Independent Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan and two Fine Gael candidates.

“We’re in third place but have a big battle ahead,” he said in a tweet. “Thanks to all those who voted Sinn Féin on Friday. We have to ask ourselves really hard questions in the coming days and weeks.”

In Ireland South, Sinn Féin Liadh ní Riada is being tipped to hold onto fourth or fifth place, and is currently squeezed between Independent Mick Wallace in third, and Green party candidate Kathleen O’Sullivan in fifth. Just six thousand votes separating these three.

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are in the top two spots and are ahead in the chasing pack, but despite this, the hope among the three progressives is that the two right-wing parties can manage only one seat each.