Patrick Nulty initially claimed that his phone had been hacked, when confronted with allegations that he sent a sexually explicit facebook message to a schoolgirl.

That's according to the Sunday World which today published revelations that forced the TD's dramatic resignation last night.

The independent deputy admitted he did send the message after geo-tagging data proved it had come from Leinster House.

In his resignation statement Mr Nulty said he had failed to meet the standards he holds for himself - personally and politically.

The message was one of several explicit messages the 31 year old TD sent to female constituents.

The TD's resignation means a by-election is now due to take place in the Dublin West constituency.