No doubting the clear message of Cork’s working class

Cork may have voted yes, but half of the city — including vast swathes of traditional working-class areas — sent a clear message to the Government and voted no.

In Cork South Central, where the turnout was 53.5%, a total of 62% voted yes — in line with early tallies.

However, it was much tighter in Cork North Central, where, with a turnout of 51.4%, the yes vote was 52%.

While Cork South Central was called from early on, it was too tight to call in Cork North Central.

Early tallies at about 10am showed the constituency running around 52% no.

With about half the city boxes open, and fewer than half the rural boxes open, no campaigners admitted they were surprised by the overwhelming no vote coming from boxes across the city’s northside.

Two boxes in Gurranabraher recorded a 70% no. Boxes in Fairhill and Farranree were in the early 70s, one box in Churchfield was 80% no, and one box in Scoil Aiséirí Chríost in Farranree showed an 82% no vote.

Another box from St Mary’s on the Hill NS in Knocknaheeny showed an 83% no vote, where 106 people voted against the referendum with just 36 voting in favour.

However, as the count wore on, more boxes from the rural side of Cork North Central were opened, swinging the result backs towards the yes side.

There was an 85% yes vote from a box in Cloghroe, a 70% yes in Brooklodge, 65% in Rylane, 70% in Stuake, 75% from one box in Annaleentha NS, and 73% from a box in Glantane NS.

The no vote seen on the northside was repeated in working-class areas in Cork South Central, with some boxes in Greenmount recording no votes up to 63%.

The counting and checking in both constituencies was done just before 2pm and the results were forwarded to Dublin for verification.

Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien said the final result showed a clear divide between working class and rural areas.

“It’s surprised me, to be honest. It’s a very significant divide. The figures are bearing it out.”

He said the result left the Labour Party “at sea”.

“People are sending a clear message, particularly from working class areas, that they feel abandoned by the Labour Party.”

Socialist Party Cllr Mick Barry, who led a strong no campaign in Cork North Central, said he was disappointed that the Government’s campaign of “fear and bullying” had won.

“But I am heartened at the very large no vote in Cork North Central and in working-class constituencies throughout the State.

“The result indicates a society that’s deeply fractured along class lines.”

Cork South Central Labour TD Ciarán Lynch welcomed the public’s vote for stability and said it would help the Government continue on its programme for recovery.

“It’s very apparent that people are angry with their economic situation,” he said.

“The frustration that’s out there is something I deal with every day in my office. But passing the referendum will help the Government stabilise the economic situation.

“I do not accept there is a class divide in the vote.

“There are struggling households right across Cork City.”

However, he said the Government, and the Labour Party in particular, would respond to the message of the strong no vote.

He pointed to his party’s role in the restoration of the minimum wage and said insolvency legislation due before the Dáil next week would help people struggling under the burden of mortgage debt.

Fine Gael’s director of elections, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney, also welcomed the outcome as a step in the right direction towards recovery.

However, he accepted that the strong no vote was a sign that people were not happy with the pace of change.

“Those parts of Ireland that voted No are in many cases, I hope, going to benefit most from what we’re trying to achieve through this referendum.

“It’s not surprising that communities who have been hit hardest by unemployment would be most frustrated and most angry with what has happened to the country.”

He rejected suggestions that the Government had lost touch with working-class areas.