FG’s Helen McEntee set to take seat

In the Meath East by-election – Fine Gael’s Helen McEntee is on course to become the country’s newest TD.

With a final tally in, she’s significantly enough ahead to retain the seat held by her late father on 38 per cent.

She’s significantly ahead of Fianna Fáil’s Thomas Byrne on 33% and he won’t secure enough transfers to overtake her.

Sinn Féin will finish third – with 13% of the vote.

And it’s Eamon Gilmore’s labour party that will be licking it’s wounds – probably finishing 5th on just 4%, behind Ben Gilroy of Direct Democracy Ireland on 6%.