Lucinda Creighton saw fledgling party fail to return a single seat, writes Political Reporter Elaine Loughlin.

Renua Ireland has ruled out running finance guru Eddie Hobbs in Kildare South after children’s charity boss Jonathan Irwin announced his decision to opt out of competing there at the next general election.

Renua has suffered its first defection with a councillor who joined just two months ago deciding to leave because of what he says is the party’s U-turn on water charges.

The first eight candidates to run for Renua Ireland in the upcoming general election have been confirmed.