Kiely did not contest the 1982 Seanad election,[1] and failed to regain his seat when he stood again at the 1983 election.[2] He was re-elected at the 1987 election to the 18th Seanad, and held the seat until a further defeat at the but was defeated at the 2002 Seanad.[3]
At the 2014 Kerry County Council election Kiely took a case to the Supreme Court for errors made in the election count. The court ordered a full recount for the first time in the history of the Irish State.[4] However, after the recount, Kiely was still four votes behind and was not elected. He subsequently retired from politics.[citation needed]