Heavin sounds upbeat note after campaign

Independent general election candidate Louise Heavin sounded an upbeat note after her first election as an Independent, after leaving the Green Party in recent months.

The former councillor took 915 first preferences, and was eliminated on the eighth count after transfers had brought her total up to 1,250.

In a statement on Saturday night, Heavin said: "I'm so proud of what we have achieved. The website, manifesto, social media, door knocking, phone canvassing, postering, cooking, childminding, driving, voting, the listening ear when times got tough and the encouragement to say what we are doing matters...

"The 'we' is important. This has been a collective achievement by some hard working people and a shared belief in a progressive seat for Longford Westmeath.

"I am humbled by the support. Thank you so much to the people that have helped me and to those that have given me a vote and believed in me," she stated.