Thomas Pringle has dramatically taken the last seat in the Donegal constituency.
At a very tense Aura Leisure Centre, Sinn Fein’s Padraig MacLochlainn was pipped at the post by the Independent from Killybegs.
There were emotional scenes as Mr MacLochlainn went over to Mr Pringle and offered him a handshake and an embrace.
It had been thought that Sinn Fein would ask for a recount of the vote such was the tight margin.
But moments later returning officer Geraldine O’Connor made the official announcement which put him 184 votes ahead.
Pringle was held aloft by his many supporters including his family just before 9pm.
It is seen as a huge coup for the Independent who managed to hold off the huge charge of the Sinn Fein party.
Pringle now joins Charlie McConalogue, Pearse Doherty, Pat The Cope Gallagher and Joe McHugh as the five returning TDs for the Donegal constituency.