Main PointsThe Galway West byelection count has concluded with Fine Gael’s Seán Kyne elected following the 11th and final count for the Galway West byelection. Main rival Noel Thomas of Independent Ireland was involved with the fuel protests and holds strong views on immigration. That made him an unattractive transferee for left-wing supporters Very unusual for a government candidate to win a byelection - this is only the fourth time it has happened in 44 yearsIn Dublin Central, Daniel Ennis of the Social Democrats was elected in the early hours of Sunday morningLabour’s Helen Ogbu was the leading left-wing candidate, taking third place with 5,462 votesKey PiecesGalway West byelection results in fullAs it happened: The first day of Galway West count Inside Politics podcast: Winners and losers: What we’ve learned from the byelectionsJack White - 13 minutes agoPhotograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire Seán Kyne’s victory in Galway West was built on his experience and his recognition in the constituency, Political Correspondent Harry McGee writes. A TD and Senator since 2010, he was the only candidate who had a foothold in the two very different geographies of Galway West - the city that dominates it, and the surrounding rural hinterland including the State’s biggest Gaeltacht. It is so unusual for a Government candidate to win a byelection - this is only the fourth time it has happened in 44 years - but it was built on a simple campaign that emphasised Kyne’s character and his track record.It was noteworthy that he accentuated the positive, focusing relentlessly on his work in helping get big projects over the line for Galway, including the Dexcom Stadium, the State purchase of the airport for the Aran Islands air service, his work in securing piers, and bypasses including the Galway bypass and Moycullen bypass. Usually, voters use byelections as instruments to let governments feel the lash of their tongues. And there are many issues that people on the doorsteps in Galway West felt worried about - including the cost of living, housing, childcare, transport and energy costs. But somehow they did not have the expected impact on Kyne. His vote was a personality one rather than a Fine Gael one. He was helped by a number of factors. The Sinn Féin threat never materialised and there will be questions asked about its candidate selection. Mark Lohan was impressive on canvass and in debates but it did not translate for the party. Likewise, the Fianna Fáil candidate, Cillian Keane, was largely unknown outside his own area before the campaign. In addition, his main rival Noel Thomas was involved with the fuel protests and fuel blockades, and holds strong views on immigration. That made him an unattractive transferee for supporters of parties of the left. That could be shown by the huge transfer of votes from Helen Ogbu of Labour to Kyne in the last count.And there’s a strong pact evident since 2020 between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, evidence by another mammoth transfer of votes from Keane to Kyne after the young councillor’s elimination. Fine Gael will take this victory as a huge boost for the party, and reward for its strategy and direction in Government.Jack White - 53 minutes agoFine Gael’s Seán Kyne wins Galway West byelectionFine Gael candidate Seán Kyne celebrates with Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris and supporters after winning the Galway West byelection.