Fianna Fáil reclaims seat in Meath West as Aisling Dempsey is elected

Fianna Fáil's Aisling Dempsey has been elected without reaching the quota on the final count in Meath West.

She becomes the first female TD to be elected in the constituency and reclaims a seat for the party in the the three-seater..

Dempsey, a councillor in the Trim electoral area and daughter of former minister Noel Dempsey, finished 700 votes ahead of Linda Nelson Murray of Fine Gael to claim the third seat on the fifth count.

Speaking on how she was feeling after being elected, Dempsey said: "I am exhausted but absolutely delighted. It has been a rollercoaster but I am really honoured and privileged to be elected."

When asked if she was confident throughout the day, Dempsey: "Confident No, Positive, yes. The tallies are normally good but you just never know."