Mary Butler becomes first new Fianna Fáil female TD since 2007

With a tricolour draped around her, Fianna Fáil’s Mary Butler was lifted shoulder high as she topped the poll in Waterford.

The first-time candidate received 10,603 first-preference votes, putting her over the line on the first count and beating off well-known sitting TDs John Halligan and John Deasy.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, she said she was “thrilled” to top the poll and in doing so becomes the first new Fianna Fáil female elected since 2007.