New Newry & Armagh MP Dáire Hughes says Sinn Féin is ‘committed to working hard for all’

The Sinn Féin candidate replaces the outgoing Mickey Brady and won the seat in the constituency with 22,299 votes.

That equated to a share of 48.5% - an increase of 7.5% on Mr Brady's result in the 2019 election.

Mr Hughes, a former mayor of the old Newry & Mourne District Council, topped the poll ahead of the current Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Pete Byrne.

Speaking after his election, Mr Hughes said: "This election was about endorsing strong leadership and positive change and the people of Newry and Armagh have done just that.

"They voted for decisions about their future to be made here, at home, in Ireland. They voted to support better funding for public services. I would like to thank each and every person who voted for me and Sinn Fein yesterday. We are committed to working hard for all and that is precisely what we intend to do.

Mr Byrne received 6,806 votes in the election held on Thursday, a 14.8% share.

The SDLP Westminster candidate said: "I came into politics to make this place a better place to live, work and raise a family. I said when I stood here in 2019 in third place that I was just rolling up my sleeves. They are still fully rolled up; I still believe in that vision."

Next were the three unionist candidates. Third was the DUP's Gareth Wilson with 5,900 votes, followed by the TUV's Keith Ratcliffe on 4,099 and Sam Nicholson (UUP) on 3,175.

Meanwhile, Alliance's Helena Young recorded 2,692 votes. Liam Reichenberg of Aontú scored 888 and Samantha Rayner of the Conservatives polled 83.