Constituency wrap: Tipperary North

ONCE a hotbed of support for Fianna Fáil and a constituency which traditionally returned two candidates for the party, North Tipperary this week awakes to the dawn of a new political era.

Outgoing Fianna Fáil deputy, Máire Hoctor, proved unable to fend off the challenge of Labour candidate and Munster MEP Alan Kelly, as the Labour Party returned a candidate for the first time since 1992.

With Michael Lowry topping the poll for the fourth successive election and Fine Gael’s Noel Coonan elected on the second count, it was evident from early on that Fianna Fáil were in serious trouble.