Craughwell: I will vote as an Independent in Seanad

The country's newest Senator says he will not be whipped by any party or group in the Seanad.

Gerard Craughwell says he will be an Independent and his vote on every issue in the Seanad will be judged that way.

The former British Army soldier beat Fine Gael's John McNulty into second place, and was elected on Sinn Féin transfers.

Senator Craughwell says he is honoured to have been elected.

He said: "I'm standing here in front of you today, the 16-year-old boy that joined the army as a private soldier and never thought he'd be standing on this plinth facing the media.

"If I start thinking about it I'll get emotional because it is without doubt the greatest honour that could ever happen.

"It's regrettable the way it happened, but it is a great honour and I feel deeply grateful to those who elected me."

The former Fine Gael candidate for the Seanad says it is time to "move on".

John McNulty has told Ocean FM in Sligo he is glad that party members listened to his request for them not to vote for him.

He said: "I'm happy that the events have finished now and I can move on with things now and it's all over.

"I had asked last week for people not to vote for me and thankfully they didn't and I'm happy with the process and to move on."