The humiliating result from the Labour Party in the Meath East by-election is being attributed to voters anger that they have broken their election promises. The party won just 5% of the poll.

Helen McEntee of Fine Gael retained her late father's Dáil seat, She picked up 38.5% of first preference votes and saw off a strong challenge from Thomas Byrne of Fianna Fáil.

'Bitter sweet victory'

Speaking after he victory the newly-elected TD said she was "overwhelmed" and promised to work hard for her constituents. She also said it was a bitter sweet victory given she was fighting the seat held by her dad Shane McEntee who died tragically in December.

At 26 years of age she is now the youngest female TD in the Dáil.

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny joined the successful candidate at the count centre in Ashbourne and told reporters that to say he was delighted with the win "is an understatement". He also said that she would "not betray the spirit of her father".

It was a bad day for Labour with the party knocked into 5th place behind Sinn Féin and Direct Democracy Ireland.

Political analyst Odhran Flynn told Breakfast here on Newstalk that the poor Labour performance can be attributed to voters feeling they have broken their election promises.

Pictured above is Labour candidate in the Meath East by-election Eoin Holmes