Catherine Connolly is the first woman to be elected Leas Ceann Comhairle

Catherine Connolly: beat the agreed government candidate, Fine Gael's Fergus O'Dowd, to become Leas Ceann Comhairle.. Photo: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Catherine Connolly has been elected Leas Ceann Comhairle.

Ms Connolly beat the agreed government candidate, Fine Gael's Fergus O'Dowd, in a further embarrassment to the Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Green Party coalition.