Social Democrats and Fine Gael win Irish by-election seats
Fine Gael and the Social Democrats have both won a seat after by-elections in the Republic of Ireland.
Voters had their say at the ballot boxes on Friday in Dublin Central and Galway West constituencies.
Social Democrat Daniel Ennis was elected as a TD in Dublin Central to fill a seat left by Fine Gael TD and former Irish finance minister Paschal Donohoe who took up a role with the World Bank.
Fine Gael’s Seán Kyne took the seat in Galway West which was left vacant after their local TD Catherine Connolly was elected as president.
Kyne had been trailing behind Independent Ireland’s candidate Noel Thomas by 277 votes, then dramatically overtook him on the 11th and final count on Sunday evening.
Earlier on Sunday morning in Dublin Ennis finished on 12,050 votes, ahead of Sinn Féin’s Janice Boylan on 7,787.
He had topped the poll after the first count, coming in 555 votes ahead of Boylan in second place.
Traditionally, governing parties are disadvantaged in by-elections as voters use by- elections to punish the government.
PA MediaSpeaking in Galway on Saturday, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said it was “not our day” in Galway West.
She said there was “no question on the leadership” and that she does not feel under pressure as counting continues in two by-elections.
“I am the leader of Sinn Féin, I lead us on days when we’re on a winning streak, I lead us on the days when we’re not lifting the cup,” she said.
Fianna Fáil has not had a good day in either of the by-elections.
Dublin Central was once former Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Bertie Ahern’s constituency but now neither candidate in Dublin or Galway is in the running for a seat.