Brian Stanley says he and his campaigners ‘defied the odds’ by getting over the line as an Independent candidate

Brian Stanley resigned from the party last month after claiming he was subjected to a "kangaroo court" in connection with a complaint made against him

INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE BRIAN Stanley has been elected in Laois on the eight count after the elimination of a Sinn Féin candidate – after leaving the party just last month. Stanley was 58 votes shy of the quota but was elected as all other candidates vying for the third and final seat were eliminated.

Sinn Féin sources have hit out at party councillor Caroline Dwane Stanley for endorsing her husband Brian Stanley on the campaign trail.