The three main parties comfortably took a seat each in the new constituency of Wicklow-Wexford.

First-time politician Brian Brennan, a hotelier, topped the poll for Fine Gael and was the only candidate to exceed the quota. Fianna Fáil senator Malcolm Byrne and Sinn Féin councillor Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin were never far behind.

A clear picture had emerged by early Saturday morning, with the three neck and neck but well ahead of the other seven candidates. However, they all had to wait until the sixth count to be elected at about midday on Sunday.

The trio were untroubled by independents, although councillor Peir Leonard, a community-focused candidate from Arklow, Co Wicklow, had a good showing, leaving on the fifth count. Fianna Fáil’s second candidate, Arklow-based Pat Kennedy, came in fourth.

A first-time constituency introduced after a recommendation by the Electoral Commission, the three-seater encompasses a fast-growing population in south Wicklow and north Wexford.

All three of the representatives live around Gorey, on the Wexford side of the county border. However, Mr Brennan has done business in Arklow for some 25 years, having run the Arklow Bay Hotel.