Fine Gael's Seán Kyne comes out on top in perfect political storm

It was a close-run race until the end, with Independent Ireland's Noel Thomas consistently increasing his vote count after count  until the elimination of Fianna Fáil’s Cillian Keane helped Mr Kyne close the gap

Not alone was he a serving senator, but Seán Kyne previously held a seat for the party in Galway West from 2011 until 2020, when he fell short and left Hildegarde Naughton as the sole Fine Gael TD in the constituency. File Picture: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

In a county known for its unsettled weather, it was the perfect storm for Fine Gael as Seán Kyne came out with a win in the Galway West by-election.

The Moycullen man remained consistent throughout, eventually overtaking Independent Ireland’s Noel Thomas at the death, claiming a second Fine Gael seat in the constituency for the first time since 2016.