National Archives 1985: 80% of Donegal postal vote applications invalid

A large number of people from Co Donegal who applied for a postal vote in the 1985 local elections were ineligible, a Garda investigation concluded.

Confidential government documents show that four fifths of the applications were ruled as invalid, and only 634 out of 3,274 applicants from Co Donegal were entitled to a vote.

A Garda investigation into the matter was initiated in June 1985 on foot of a complaint by the secretary of Donegal County Council. It uncovered serious questions about the authenticity of signatures and the occupation of many applicants. In many cases, different ink was used between the completion and signing of the forms.