John Leahy eliminated in the fifth count

Renua Ireland candidate John Leahy has been eliminated in the fifth count in the Offaly North Tipperary constituency.

The GAA games administrator and member of Offaly County Council was in the running for the final seat along with Sinn Fein's Carol Nolan and Fianna Fail's Eddie Fitzpatrick.

Mr Leahy said he didn't know whether he would have fared better as an
Independent candidate. 'We felt at the time that people were looking
for an alternative,' he explained.

However, he conceded that it is proving very hard to break the 'stanglehold of 100 years of politics.'

Mr Leahy said he was thankful for the national platform Renua Ireland had provided for rural issues and said he holds dear the time he spent helping establish the party.
ENDS