Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald has congratulated Gerard Craughwell on his win in the Seanad by-election.
But after Senator Craughwell was elected with Sinn Féin transfers, she played down the significance of his previous service in the British Army.
"I think he will be an effective Senator, and we look forward to working with him" she said.
"I think Senator Craughwell, like the rest of us, knows that the world has moved on...Ireland has moved on, and certainly we are very happy to see him elected. We extend our very best wishes to him."