The buzz, the excitement: it just wasn’t there at the count centre in Keenagh in Co Longford on Saturday where counting of votes in the Longford-Westmeath by-election was taking place.

Gabrielle McFadden remains in the lead in the Longford Westmeath by-election.

The battle for Longford-Westmeath once again highlights Ireland’s curious tradition as a Republic that often takes comfort in voting for the hereditary principle when choosing elected representatives.

The former minister Mary O’Rourke is likely to find herself back on the campaign trail after her son, Aengus O’Rourke, was chosen by Fianna Fáil to contest a Dáil seat in next month’s by-election in Longford-Westmeath.