Lee arrives at RDS before by-election count

Fine Gael's George Lee has arrived at the RDS flanked by party leader Enda Kenny as well as his wife and two children to shouts and claps from his supporters.

The journalist-turned-politician Lee is expected to scoop a massive victory for Fine Gael in the Dublin South by-election.

Fianna Fáil's Shay Brennan - who is coming in third - is conceding defeat in the Dublin South by-election.

He had been vying to take the Dáil seat that was left vacant following the death of his father Seamus earlier this year.

But with almost 100% of the boxes tallied, former journalist George Lee has emerged as the clear winner, with 54% of the vote.

Labour's Alex White is coming in second.

Entering the count hall even though the final result had yet to be called the massive crowd waited to greet and congratulate him.

Mr Lee said he was looking forward to serving the people of Dublin South, adding he believed there would be a change of government.

Mr Lee said: “As far as I’m concerned there will be a change of government, it’s only a question of time.

“And that new government will be stronger than the government which is there at the moment and will be prepared to do what is necessary to fix the economy.”

Mr Lee said he was humbled and encouraged by the outpouring of support.

“I had no idea from the beginning how I would be received or what the reception would be, which is why I feel so humbled that it has happened like this,” he said.

The declaration is expected later this afternoon.

Mr Kenny said it was a truly spectacular victory for Mr Lee and the Fine Gael party.

“This is also a truly historic day for our party as the indications are now that Fine Gael will be the largest party with the largest vote in the history of our party since 1932,” he said.

“That is a truly spectacular and historic achievement.”