Fianna Fáil’s Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere has successful been elected to Dáil Éireann on his first attempt in the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency.

The 41-year-old father of four from Skeoughvosteen, Co Kilkenny is a regional business development manager with Bank of Ireland.

Cleere was first elected to Kilkenny County Council in 2014 and successfully re-elected on all subsequent local elections, topping the poll with 600 votes over the quota in the Callan Thomastown LEA last June.

He has previously served as cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council.

The 2024 election is his first time on the Fianna Fáil ticket in a general election.

A former hurler with Kilkenny and double All-Ireland medal holder, Cleere is deeply rooted in Kilkenny GAA. He also won two intermediate and two U21 All-Ireland titles with the Cats. More recently he was senior camogie manager with Carlow, followed by a season with Kilkenny’s senior camogie team.