David Norris has been elected to the Seanad on the University of Dublin panel.
He was elected on the first count with 4070 votes late on Tuesday night.
The total valid poll was 16,064 and the quota was 4017 votes.
Labour's Ivana Bacik received 2853 votes while Independents Lynn Ruane and Averil Power received 1378 and 1356 votes respectively.
Seán Barrett, on 1317 votes, looks set to lose his seat.
The count resumed on Wednesday morning at 9.30am and will continue until remaining two seats are filled.
Speaking at the count in Trinity College on Tuesday night a clearly delighted Mr Norris declared that his unbroken service over the last 30 years would ensure he will be Father of the House in the upcoming Seanad.
Speaking to The Irish Times Mr Barrett said he encountered a very despondent electorate while canvassing.
Large numbers of young graduates had emigrated he said, while many older people were struggling with trying to pay property tax out of their pension.
A total of 16 candidates contested the three-seat panel which has a potential electorate of about 57,000 graduates of the college who may live abroad, but whom must retain Irish citizenship.
Results:
The results of the first count of ballots for the constituency of the University of Dublin were as follows:
BACIK, IVANA 2853
BARRET, SEAN 1317
BRENNAN, SABINA 445
CLONAN, THOMAS 1131
COGHLAN, OISÍN 683
COX, MAEVE 135
CUNNINGHAM, KEVIN 232
DAVITT, EDWARD 142
MEEHAN, EOIN 143
MELLY, SEAN 450
NORRIS, DAVID 4070
POWER, AVERIL 1356
PRIESTLEY, WILLIAM 548
RUANE, LYNN 1378
STAINES, ANTHONY 665
TINNEY, ETHNA 516
