Interest wanes in ‘redundant’ by-election

CANDIDATES in Donegal south west will be anxiously watching voter turnout throughout today, hoping their supporters do not stay away from what has quickly become a redundant ballot.

Interest in the vote dwindled after the Green Party demanded a General election in early January. This turn of events is expected to favour Fianna Fáil Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill with a loyal party base more likely to turnout compared with those motivated by disillusioned protest.

On the eve of the election Fine Gael’s candidate Barry O’Neill urged voters to make the effort to register their choice and not dismiss the by-election entirely.