Cowen 'most popular politician in the country'

Finance Minister Brian Cowen had over 7,000 votes to spare when he was deemed to be elected on the first count shortly after 11pm at the Laois Offaly count centre in Birr.

His personal performance marked him as the most popular politician in the country with the highest first preference of any candidates at 19,102 - 7,186 above the quota of 11,916 in this exciting five-seater constituency.