Independent candidate Verona Murphy has been elected as a TD for Wexford.
Ms Murphy, who unsuccessfully contested last year's by-election in the county for Fine Gael, was elected after the final count in the five-seat constituency.
She is only the second woman to serve as a TD in the county in 99 years.
Sinn Féin's Johnny Mythen topped the poll, with Labour leader Brendan Howlin, Fianna Fáil's James Browne and Fine Gael's Paul Kehoe all elected.
Minister of State Michael D’Arcy of Fine Gael lost his seat, as did Fianna Fáil's Malcolm Byrne who was elected following the by-election last November.
Ms Murphy, who is the head of the Irish Road Hauliers Association, was deselected by Fine Gael ahead of the election.
She caused controversy during the by-election campaign by suggesting some asylum seekers needed to be "deprogrammed".
She subsequently apologised for her comments.
Ms Murphy hailed the result as "a great day" for her campaign and also the people of Wexford who were "looking for change".
She told The Hard Shoulder that she was more transfer-friendly as an Independent candidate than for Fine Gael.
She also said that regardless of which parties form the government, she would be interested in speaking to them.
Earlier, Ms Murphy said she was "absolutely enamoured" the people of Wexford have chosen her to represent them.
She added that she doesn't believe comments she made about immigrants dented her popularity in the election.
