Counting Continues In Seanad Election

The first few Senators have been elected with counting continuing in the Seanad elections.

Former government chief whip for Fine Gael Sean Kyne was the first to be elected to the cultural and education panel, having been co-opted to the last Seanad after losing his seat in the general election.

He was soon followed by two other former TDs - this time from Fianna Fáil.

The elimination of their colleague Margaret Murphy O'Mahony put Lisa Chambers and Malcolm Byrne over the line.

Chambers joins the Seanad after surprisingly losing her Dáil seat.

While for Byrne it was his fifth election in just over 300 days - and the third he's won.

He's now been elected a councillor, TD and Senator in separate elections since last May.

Counting is also underway for the Trinity and NUI panels which will elect three Senators each.

The Green Party's Saoirse McHugh has missed out on a seat in the next Seanad.

Ronán Mullen has been the first person elected to the NUI panel of the Seanad.

He was elected on the first count with fellow outgoing Senator Michael McDowell almost reaching the quota.

Fine Gael's Jerry Buttimer has been elected on the first count for the Labour panel in the last few minuters.

It's expected counting will take until Thursday or Friday to complete.

Outgoing Fianna Fail T.D. in Wicklow Pat Casey has been elected to the Seanad.

The new Senator took a seat on the Labour panel last night .