Flaherty loses out in Seanad election bid

Former Longford/Westmeath Fianna Fáil TD Joe Flaherty has failed in his bid to be elected to the Seanad.

Flaherty was eliminated late last night after Count 17 in the Cultural and Educational Panel. At that stage he was the seventh candidate remaining for five seats.

Flaherty was a TD for the constituency from 2020, but lost his seat in the general election on November 29.

He will now await the announcement of the Taoiseach's eleven nominees to the Seanad.