FG MEP Kelly says party strategy was 'to pull down Kelly'

"I’m an honurable person and when I do a deal, I stick by it," he said.

He was speaking at the count centre in Killarney. He was referring to senior party figures canvassing with Deirdre Clune as well as the high-profile campaign by Clune.

"I come from a GAA background where you play by the rules, We ran a no-frills campaign ( as agreed) . .. And I stuck by that."

He also questioned whether politics should be a blood sport, saying it should have standards.

Aspects of the Fine Gael strategy would have to be looked at, he said.