First time General election candidate in Louth, Joanna Byrne of Sinn Féin was elected late last night on the 18th count alongside her party colleague, the sitting TD Ruairí Ó Murchú.

“I'm obviously over the moon at this moment in time, and I want to thank my amazing team of Sinn Fein activists who have helped me on this journey in recent weeks” she told Drogheda Life.

“We ran a strong, positive and vibrant campaign, one that offered a message of hope and the need for change and its clear there has been a positive response to this.

“To the people of Drogheda and around the county of Louth, thank you for putting your trust in me and be assured I will continue to work hard every day to champion the issues that affect you most.

“Sinn Féin came into this election on the back of very poor local government elections and were written off by many people. We have confounded the critics nationally and will return with a stronger team than before.

“What is now clear is that the mould has been broken in Irish politics – there are now three main parties and even more critically this is an election that has delivered a strong mandate for the parties of change – ourselves, Labour, Social Democrats and others.

“One thing I am resolute on is that the Irish people cannot afford another five years of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in Government. 

“So now we will be reaching out in the first instance to the other parties and individuals elected on a mandate of change to look at how we deliver for the people who want to see the housing crisis fixed, tackle the cost of living, advance Irish re-unification and that our young people have a future here in Ireland.

“Sinn Féin will continue to work hard on behalf of the many, many people and communities we represent and for all those citizens who have been failed and let down by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in government.

“Sinn Féin will continue to lead in bringing forward credible solutions to the many issues our people face - as we have done on housing, health and childcare. And we will continue to work to deliver our vision for a United Ireland.

“I'm honoured to be joining my colleague Ruairí O'Murchú in Leinster House and excited about what we can achieve together as a team for the people of Louth.”