Alan Kelly has become the new leader of the Labour party after beating off the challenge of Aodhan Ó Ríordáin.
The Tipperary TD reached the quota in the party’s leadership contest this evening.
Sorting of nearly 2,000 postal votes began this afternoon.
Both candidates and their teams had to watch the count via video link due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.
Labour candidate Alan Kelly is hoisted into the air as he celebrates being elected in 2016, 28-02-2020. Image: Chris Radburn/PA Archive/PA ImagesIn a video message this evening, Deputy Ó Ríordáin conceded defeat.
I’ve just called @alankellylabour to congratulate him on his election as leader of the @labour party.
I can’t thank my campaign team & my family enough for their support over the last few weeks.
Time now to unite and work together for our great party and our country.
— Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (@AodhanORiordain) April 3, 2020
“I want to congratulate Alan Kelly on his election tonight as the leader of the Labour Party,” he said.
“I want to congratulate his family, who I know are very proud of him.
“I know the party is safe in his hands.”
Kelly
Deputy Kelly has long held ambitions to lead the party; however, he failed to receive a nomination when the position was last up for grabs.
He served as Minister for Housing between 2014 and 2016 during the height of the water charges unrest.
He also served time as a Minister of State for Public and Commuter Transport.
Howlin
He takes over from Brendan Howlin who stepped down in the wake of the party’s disastrous showing in the General Election.
Deputy Howlin had two stints as a Cabinet minister and one as Leas-Cheann Comhairle since his first election to the Dáil in 1987.
He took over the party leadership from Joan Burton in 2016.
