U2's The Edge and owner of Dublin restaurant Chapter One, Ross Lewis, were among the people who donated to President Michael D Higgins' election campaign last year.

Only President Higgins and runner-up Peter Casey had expenses reimbursed.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said the party is "determined" to move forward in a positive way following its poor performance at the recent elections.

Miracles can happen. A week ago, we were told that it would take 28

It will be a pity if Mary Lou McDonald does not pull Sinn Féin together, or if her effort to do so is hampered by those in the party who think they know better than she does.

The 20th count in the Ireland South constituency has seen the Green Party's Grace O'Sullivan secure the fourth seat while Deirdre Clune from Fine Gael claimed the fifth seat.

Outgoing Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada said she her party needs to engage better with voters after a disappointing local and European election campaign.

Sinn Féin’s Liadh Ní Riada has conceded in the Ireland South constituency in the European Elections.

Teams of experienced counters from Cork's City and County Halls have been drafted in to speed up the recount in Ireland South.

A full recount of European Election ballot papers in the Ireland South constituency is to get underway this morning.

Additional staff from outside Cork are set to be drafted in to ensure as speedy a conclusion to the full recount in Ireland South which begins tomorrow.

After its poor showing in the recent elections, Sinn Féin faces a tough task to make up ground before the next general election, writes Political Editor Daniel McConnell.

Sinn Féin will pull the plug on the Ireland South recount if it becomes clear they are not making up the gap in votes, Mary Lou McDonald has said.

Sinn Féin has defended the decision to call a recount in the Ireland South European elections - claiming a price cannot be put on democracy.

Be Bold. Two words plastered across a black and white image of Mick Wallace on a few sparsely dispersed billboards certainly made for a bold statement.

A full recheck and recount has been called in the Ireland South election.

Fianna Fáil’s Billy Kelleher has vowed to act as a strong voice on Brexit after becoming the second elected MEP in the Ireland South constituency.

A dogfight to the last is expected in Ireland South with three seats yet to be filled.

Counting staff will begin the process of rechecking tomorrow morning at 9am and, if required, a full recount will begin next Tuesday.

The race for seats in Ireland South has heated up as Labour candidate Shelia Nunan and Fine Gael's Andrew Doyle have both been eliminated in the 15th count.

Fianna Fail TD Billy Kelleher described himself as "elated, honoured and humbled" after being elected to the European Parliament.

Another day of drama is expected in the Ireland South count today, as Seán Kelly became the first MEP elected in the constituency.

All four European parliament seats have been filled in Dublin but counting continues in South and Midlands-North West.

Independents 4 Change candidate Mick Wallace continues to be the surprise story of the Ireland South vote.

Dublin's four new MEP seats have finally been decided, after three days of counting.

Cork North-Central TD Billy Kelleher has admitted he is in a “good position” after polling in second place in the first count in Ireland South, but says it is “far too early” to be certain of securing a seat.

Counting has resumed for a second day in the Ireland South constituency where it now appears that exit polls were not accurate.

The Green Party’s European candidate in Ireland South has hit out at other political parties for attempting to ‘bluff’ their way through environmental issues during the local and European campaign.

Sinn Féin, the party which prides itself as being the voice of the people, has been left speechless after the local and EU elections.

Sean Kelly is set to become the first MEP elected in Ireland South later today.

A first round result in the Ireland South elections is not expected until at least midnight with the lengthy ballot papers causing significant delays.

Counting is under way in the European elections where the Greens could pick up as many as three seats.

Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada has ruled out making a second bid to become president of Ireland, saying “once is enough”.

There are two sleeps left to local and European elections on Friday.

Election candidate Deirdre Clune recently visited a school where pupils are taught to elect a council. The Cork MEP says she’s learned a lot about politics in recent years too, writes Catherine Shanahan

Ms Clune is one of three sitting MEPs contesting Ireland South, with five seats up for grabs. But she was placed seventh in a Red C poll.

With Rosalia Long’s Zumba moves triggering positive feelings left, right and centre, Beaumont Girls National School was as good a place as any to re-energise for the final week of European Elections campaigning.

In this special report Elaine Loughlin reveals the extent of expenses payments accrued by Irish MEPs over the most recent five-year European Parliament term.

Post-election legal action, drinking with Nigel Farage, a brother involved in anti-Government protests, EU broadband funding demands — oh, and the little matter of the Ireland South MEP race. Fiachra Ó Cionnaith meets Fine Gael’s Sean Kelly.

Fianna Fáil TD and Ireland South MEP election candidate Billy Kelleher has been accused of "selling out" traditional pro-life party support over his decision to back the removal of the eighth amendment.

Fine Gael has banned a second party candidate from taking part in the Irish Examiner European election debate in Cork amid fears that their involvement could damage sitting MEP Deirdre Clune’s re-election chances.

A major row has erupted within Fine Gael after junior minister Andrew Doyle was ordered not to attend a hustings event next week, after previously being told he could go.

From May 23-26, Irish voters will be thinking about the environment, immigration, spending imbalances, and an EU army, says Political Correspondent Juno McEnroe.

Cork MEP Brian Crowley will be entitled to severance payments of more than €350,000 over the next two years and a pension pot of €1.4m, the Irish Examiner can reveal.