Childers completes surprise comeback

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan’s bid for a Dublin European seat failed after Independent MEP Nessa Childers made a surprise comeback and relieved Fine Gael minister Brian Hayes managed to cling onto the third and final seat.

A drawn-out recheck of the count, called for by Mr Ryan, found no major errors and the Green Party leader eventually conceded defeat last night.

Independent candidate Ms Childers took the second seat and Fine Gael’s Brian Hayes took the third.