It was a high watermark for Sinn Féin, which got more TDs elected than any other party. It was celebrating a sensational result across the country and Mr Stanley was returned for his third term in the Dáil.
Until a few weeks ago, there was every reason to believe he would run again for the party in the upcoming election. However, a complaint by a constituent and a subsequent Sinn Féin investigation led to the TD resigning from the party.
He accused it of subjecting him to a “kangaroo court” and a plot to oust him from his seat.
The claims were rejected by the party and complaints were referred to An Garda Síochána after Mr Stanley resigned. He announced late on Wednesday night that he would be running for re-election to the next Dáil, but this time as an Independent candidate.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald
While it is unclear at this stage if he will top the poll, local sources all expect him to keep his seat.
They also agree Sinn Féin is in trouble, with one Laois TD saying the party’s seat is “100pc gone”.
Mr Stanley’s wife, Cllr Caroline Dwane-Stanley, is the party’s only elected representative in the area and is not expected to run against her husband.
This was not an easy choice, but it is necessary for me to stay true to what I believe in
It has already been announced that Fine Gael is running Cllr William Aird for a Dáil seat, Fianna Fáil is putting up junior minister Seán Fleming, the Greens have gone with Rosie Palmer, Mary Hand is on the Aontú ticket and People Before Profit has selected Ken Mooney.
Elaine Mullally, formerly of Independent Ireland, is running as an Independent candidate. She announced she was leaving the party shortly after party MEP Ciaran Mullooly joined the Renew grouping at the EU Parliament. His decision led to a backlash from other party members.
Ms Mullally said at the time that the party “no longer aligns with my values and principles”, adding: “This was not an easy choice, but it is necessary for me to stay true to what I believe in.”
Outgoing TD Charlie Flanagan. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins
The count of Laois is now its own constituency. This election is not the first time Laois and Offaly have been split in two.
In 2016, Mr Stanley, Charlie Flanagan and Mr Fleming took seats, as did Barry Cowen, Carol Nolan and Fine Gael’s Marcella Corcoran Kennedy in Offaly.
It will be the first time in decades the famous family name of Flanagan will not be on the ballot sheet in Laois.
Outgoing TD Charlie Flanagan has served the Laois-Offaly constituency since 2020 and was previously a TD for Laois from 1987 to 2002, 2007 to 2016 and from 2016 to 2020. His father, Oliver J Flanagan, was a Laois-Offaly TD from 1943 to 1987.
However, Mr Aird, the Fine Gael councillor, will be hoping to continue his own family tradition.
His grandfather, also William, was elected a Cumann na nGaedheal TD in 1927 and died in 1931 during his term.
Mr Aird has been elected as a councillor eight times, taking the first seat on the first count in the Portlaoise area in each of the last five elections.
While Mr Stanley, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are expected to take the three seats, nothing can be taken for granted.
