The second count is underway in the Meath East by-election. Helen McEntee of Fine Gael is set to be elected to fill the seat vacated by her father.

She polled 1,300 votes more than Thomas Byrne of Fianna Fáil on the first count.

But it is a bad day for Labour who's candidate Eoin Holmes finished in 5th place on first preferences behind Sinn Féin's Darren O'Rourke and Ben Gilroy of Direct Democracy Ireland.

Gerry Adams of Sinn Fein explains why more voters did not vote for them in.

Labour Minister Pat Rabbitte said earlier that despite the outcome there will be no shift in government policies.

Turnout in the by-election was just under 38% which was down from 66% in this constituency in the General Election 2 years ago.

Helen McEnteewill become the second youngest TD in the Dáil holding the seat vacated last December on the tragic death of her father Shane.