Naas councillor Darren Scully has claimed his remarks about black Africans were open to misinterpretation, but Shaun Connolly believes they weren’t misinterpreted, but racist and Fine Gael should have got shot of him immediately

Charlie Flanagan of Fine Gael is ahead of Brian Cowen's brother Barry after the first count in the Laois-Offaly constituency.

President Mary McAleese will launch talks today exploring how Ireland has benefited from immigration.

More TDs and local councillors are needed to represent ethnic minorities living in the country, the state’s first black mayor said today.

Ireland is set to elect its first-ever black mayor today with Nigerian Rotimi Adebari favourite to head the Portlaoise town council following a vote this afternoon.