Galway West and Dublin Central by-elections likely to take place in May

One was elected Ireland's President, the other became the World Bank's MD. Voters will now choose who will take the Dáil seats vacated by Catherine Connolly and Paschal Donohoe

Catherine Connolly is congratulated on her election as President of Ireland by then finance minister Paschal Donohoe on November 11. Days later, Mr Donohoe announced his departure for the World Bank. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews

The Dáil will have two new TDs in place before the summer, with by-elections due in Dublin Central and Galway West.

The by-elections are being held to fill those Dáil seats after they were vacated following the election of Catherine Connolly as President and the resignation of Paschal Donohoe.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin indicated that the two contests will be held in May.

“We’re looking at a May election, it would seem to me, good weather and so on,” he said.

Dublin Central

Some of the larger parties have been coy about their plans, with no announcements coming from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and Sinn Féin.

Over the weekend, there were reports that Gillian Sherratt, the mother of a nine-year-old boy who died after waiting years for spinal surgery, could contest Sinn Féin’s convention and seek to take a second seat for the party. 

The convention could be contested, however, with local councillors Janice Boylan and Séamas McGrattan having previously declined to rule themselves out.

Fianna Fáil has two possible contenders for the election, with Deputy Lord Mayor John Stephens and senator Mary Fitzpatrick in the mix.

Mr Stephens said he believes he has the numbers to win a selection convention for Fianna Fáil. Meanwhile, Senator Fitzpatrick is not expected to decide until Fianna Fáil decides its strategy for the by-election. 

One party source in the constituency said they believed the race was “Sinn Féin’s to lose”.

Fine Gael could select incumbent Lord Mayor Ray McAdam as its candidate, who would have been close to Mr Donohoe.

While the three large parties have not yet selected candidates, the Social Democrats were out last year unveiling their candidate, Daniel Ennis. 

On Wednesday, the Green Party formally selected councillor Janet Horner as its nominee for the by-election.

People Before Profit has selected Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin and Aontú have selected Ian Noel Smyth.

Independent candidates include Malachy Steenson and possibly Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch, who came close to winning a Dáil seat in the 2024 general election.

Galway West

There are a few names already in place here, including President Connolly's former campaign manager, Sheila Garrity.

Ms Garrity, a University of Galway lecturer, formally announced her candidacy in January.

The first out was Independent Ireland, which selected councillor Noel Thomas in October last year. 

He was confirmed as the party’s nominee just four days after Ms Connolly won the presidency.

Labour selected its candidate, councillor Helen Ogbu, last week, while the Social Democrats picked Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich — a parliamentary assistant to Dublin Rathdown TD Sinéad Gibney — as its candidate.

The Green Party has selected councillor Niall Murphy, while Aontú has selected Orla Nugent. Sinn Féin’s decision is expected before the end of the month.

Fine Gael formally opened its selection convention earlier this week, with several names in the mix, including Senator Seán Kyne, councillor Eddie Hoare, and former Young Fine Gael president Eoghan Gallagher.

For Fianna Fáil, former Galway West TD Éamon Ó Cuiv has not ruled out seeking a return to the Dáil. 

• Tadgh McNally, Political Reporter