Trinity College Dublin students have voted against impeaching students' union president Tom Lenihan.

Mr Lenihan, son of the late former minister for finance Brian Lenihan, admitted to bringing a note into an exam earlier this year and took a leave of absence from the role.

Students this week voted in a referendum on whether he should be removed permanently from the position and 1,643 of the 2,730 valid ballots cast said that he should not be.

Trinity student’s union announced the outcome tonight and said Mr Lenihan would return immediately from his leave of absence.

“While I am very happy with this result, I have a lot to catch up for to make sure that I am fulfilling my manifesto promises that the students have elected me for,” he said. “I am eager to get back into my role as president and to continue with the hard work that my team and I have been doing so far.”

In a statement at the time of the incident, Mr Lenihan, a third year business and law student, said he took a note into his exam which was seen by an invigilator. Mr Lenihan said he had been experiencing personal difficulties since being elected in February.

He said he regretted his actions and apologised to the college for his behaviour.

Mr Lenihan was brought before a disciplinary hearing for breach of the college examination rules and had to repeat the exam.

Trinity College has said it does not comment on individual cases but that it supports all students “as far as is possible in continuing with their academic progress”.