McEntee engulfed in swirl of emotion as Rabbitte is lost for words

Helen McEntee fought back tears as she entered the count centre to claim a Dáil seat left vacant by the father she buried just 12 weeks ago.

Flanked by her mother Kathleen on one side, and her father Shane’s close friend Enda Kenny on the other, Ms McEntee paused to compose herself before becoming engulfed in a swirl of emotion as a throng of supporters swept her up on to the winner’s podium.

The shadow of her father fell heavy across the hall as Ms McEntee remembered him in an emotional address that spoke much more of grieving family pride than petty party vanity.