Candidates spend almost €186k in Carlow-Kilkenny by-election

Candidates from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Renua were the top spending politicians in the Carlow-Kilkenny by-election.

Almost €186,000 was spent by candidates on their campaigns, and the Standards in Public Office Commission said that Bobby Aylward, who won the seat, was the biggest spender with a budget of around €45,000.

FG's David Fitzgerald spent more than €31,000 and Renua's Patrick McKee paid out almost €30,000 over the course of the campaign.

The Exchequer will repay almost €62,000 to unsuccessful candidates who qualified for a reimbursement of expenses.