Who is Sean Kyne? All you need to know about Galway's newest TD

Now, nearly 18 months to the day after announcing his intention to leave politics, Sean Kyne has regained his Dáil seat and is a TD once again.

Kyne was first elected to Galway County Council in 2004. Picture: Ray Ryan

Just 18 months after announcing his retirement from politics and six years after losing his seat and being sentenced to a stint in the Seanad, Sean Kyne has regained a spot in the Dáil.

In a major boost for Fine Gael and Tánaiste Simon Harris, Mr Kyne on Sunday evening overcame Independent Ireland candidate Noel Thomas in a tightly contested by-election to nab a seat in Galway West.