Marshall, a dairy farmer from Markethill, Co Armagh, came ahead of Dairygold employee and Fianna Fáil Cork County Councillor Frank O’Flynn, and Co Tipperary vet Mary Newman, in the count this Friday lunchtime.

The new senator is a unionist who has publicly opposed Brexit and received support from the Irish Government and Sinn Féin for this election. He also works for Queen's University Belfast.

The winner of the other seat in the Seanad by-election is Johnstown farmer Anthony Lawlor, a former Fine Gael TD for Kildare North. He was elected in the first count ahead of former farmer and Fianna Fáil Donegal TD Niall Blaney.

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Two agri seats in Seanad by-election