Mary Lou McDonald said ‘pressure is for tyres’ when asked if her leadership was coming under pressure

Ennis said the party performed well because “we didn’t bend on who we were”.

Fine Gael senator Sean Kyne is on 9,647 first preference votes and Labour councillor Helen Ogbu is on 5,462

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin told reporters Dublin Central was a ‘poor result’.

The process of counting votes in two closely-watched by-elections begins on Saturday morning.

Two new members of the Dáil will be selected in the byelections on Friday.

The respective by-elections are being held in Galway West and Dublin Central.

The candidates were asked about the cost of living, the housing crisis and tackling crime in the capital.

The nomination period for the upcoming by elections on May 22nd closed at noon on Friday.

The Dubliner, aged in his 60s, has been described in court by a judge as the patriarchal figurehead of the Hutch criminal organisation.

The Galway West by-election will be held in May to fill the seat vacated by independent Galway TD Catherine Connolly when she became President.

Ray McAdam was selected as the Fine Gael candidate for the Dublin Central by-election on Monday.

Mother of Harvey Morrison's name is 'in the ring' as possible Sinn Féin candidate for Dublin by-election

Janet Horner is a local councillor and union activist.