Reilly through on first count in Dublin North

Fine Gael deputy leader Dr James Reilly has been elected in Dublin North on the first count.

Dr Reilly, who was previously a general practitioner in the Lusk area, received nearly 10,200 first preferences, topping the poll.

Brendan Ryan of the Labour Party took the second seat in the constituency on the third count, while Clare Daly of the United Left Alliance, who polled 7,513 first preference votes, took the third seat on the sixth count.

The Fianna Fáil vote in the constituency was down considerably with former poll-topper Michael Kennedy getting 3,519 first preferences and his running mate Darragh O’Brien got  4,115.

Former Green Party minister of state Trevor Sargent has been eliminated, meaning the battle for the final seat is betweeen Mr Kennedy, Mr O'Briena and the second Fine Gael candidate Alan Farrell.

Dr Reilly said he expected Fine Gael to be “very much in the shake-up” for a second seat in the constituency.