counting ballot papers
Irish Examiner view: Parties will now think through their by-election performance
Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin will be looking at their respective electoral strategies — as will Independent Ireland, who failed to translate support for the recent fuel protests into votes

Tue, 26 May, 2026

Dublin Central by-election
Parties declare almost €300,000 spend on Dublin-Central and Galway-West by-elections
Last week's elections were the in Ireland under new EU rules, which require real-time declaration of spending

Mon, 25 May, 2026

Irish presidential election
Fianna Fáil’s by-election collapse exposes bigger problem: what does the party stand for?
Bertie Ahern's transactionalism is spoken about in reverential terms, his teams keeping track of every representation so that it could be sold back to the constituent at election time

Mon, 25 May, 2026

Dublin Central by-election
Theresa Reidy: By-election results will be troubling for Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin 
Sinn Féin has been positioning itself to lead a left government after the next general election. On these results, the party will be some way off the running

Mon, 25 May, 2026

Galway West by-election
'Selfish' Micheál Martin damaged Fianna Fáil with 'victory lap', TDs claim
It follows abysmal by-election results for Fianna Fáil in the Dublin Central and Galway West competitions, which saw the party failing to reach double-digit first preference votes in either race

Mon, 25 May, 2026

Fine Gael's Seán Kyne comes out on top in perfect political storm
Fine Gael's Seán Kyne comes out on top in perfect political storm
It was a close-run race until the end, with Independent Ireland's Noel Thomas consistently increasing his vote count after count  until the elimination of Fianna Fáil’s Cillian Keane helped Mr Kyne close the gap

Sun, 24 May, 2026

Who is Sean Kyne? All you need to know about Galway's newest TD
Who is Sean Kyne? All you need to know about Galway's newest TD
Now, nearly 18 months to the day after announcing his intention to leave politics, Sean Kyne has regained his Dáil seat and is a TD once again.

Sun, 24 May, 2026

Galway West by-election
Fine Gael's Séan Kyne elected in Galway West
Mr Kyne took the seat, which was left vacant after Catherine Connolly was elected President, on the 11th count.

Sun, 24 May, 2026

Dublin Central by-election
Paul Hosford: Mary Lou McDonald here for Sinn Féin 'on the good days and the bad'
While Dublin Central sparked questions about leadership, it is a perfect example of where the party is challenged and the answers it needs to find quickly

Sun, 24 May, 2026

By-election: The talk about Gerry Hutch will subside. At least until the next election
By-election: The talk about Gerry Hutch will subside. At least until the next election
The real question in the weeks leading up to Friday’s by-election was what impact would Gerard ‘The Monk’ Hutch's renewed campaigning have?

Sun, 24 May, 2026

Galway West by-election
As it happened: Both counts conclude as Fine Gael's Séan Kyne elected in Galway West
On the last count, Fine Gael's Sean Kyne overtakes Independent Ireland's Noel Thomas and becomes the new TD for Galway West.

Sun, 24 May, 2026

CC
Who is Daniel Ennis? All you need to know about Dublin's newest TD
The Social Democrats member has only been in politics for three years

Sun, 24 May, 2026

'The hard work has paid off,' Social Democrats’ Daniel Ennis elected in Dublin Central
'The hard work has paid off,' Social Democrats’ Daniel Ennis elected in Dublin Central
Mr Ennis won the seat, vacated by former Fine Gael TD Paschal Donohoe, in the early hours of Sunday morning following nine counts.

Sun, 24 May, 2026

Darragh O’Brien says Fianna Fáil by-election results cannot be ‘sugarcoated’
Darragh O’Brien says Fianna Fáil by-election results cannot be ‘sugarcoated’
Fianna Fáil faces disappointing by-election performances, but party figures insist leadership questions are not arising

Sat, 23 May, 2026

Galway West by-election
‘Pressure is for tyres’: Mary Lou McDonald rejects leadership speculation after by-election setback
Sinn Féin leader insists she faces no internal pressure despite disappointing by-election performances in Galway West and Dublin Central

Sat, 23 May, 2026

Dublin Central by-election
As it happened: ‘Emotional’ win for Soc Dems in Dublin Central and count to resume in Galway West
The eliminations have started in both Dublin Central and Galway West  — follow for tallies, transfers and race updates

Sat, 23 May, 2026

As it happened: Voters go to the polls in Dublin Central and Galway West by-elections
As it happened: Voters go to the polls in Dublin Central and Galway West by-elections
Hand counting of the paper ballots will begin at 9am on Saturday

Fri, 22 May, 2026

Dublin Central by-election
Gardaí receive reports after Gerard Hutch image appears near Dublin Central polling stations
Gardaí are examining reports after election-related markings appeared near polling stations in Dublin Central on polling day

Fri, 22 May, 2026

Fianna Fáil TDs despair as wrong voting date published on by-election leaflet
Fianna Fáil TDs despair as wrong voting date published on by-election leaflet
The leaflet for John Stephens erroneously said the election was taking place on Thursday rather than Friday

Thu, 21 May, 2026

Five things we learned from canvassing with Galway West by-election candidates
Five things we learned from canvassing with Galway West by-election candidates
Candidates encountered polite voters, sharp criticism, and persistent cost-of-living concerns while canvassing across Galway West communities

 Listen | Thu, 21 May, 2026

 Listen |
Ireland to vote
ieExplains: Everything you need to know about the Dublin Central and Galway West by-elections
Voters in two constituencies will head to the polls this week to elect new TDs to the Dáil

Thu, 21 May, 2026

Different tactics for different parties in canvassing in Dublin Central continues
Different tactics for different parties in canvassing in Dublin Central continues
Constituents will vote this Friday

Wed, 20 May, 2026

Galway West: Fianna Fáil's young Cillian Keane wooing voters for transfers
Galway West: Fianna Fáil's young Cillian Keane wooing voters for transfers
Political Correspondent Louise Burne joined the youngest candidate in Friday's by-election as he put in the work on the doorsteps

Tue, 19 May, 2026

Irish Cabinet meeting
Polymarket bets on Dublin Central by-election causing 'grave concerns' – Tánaiste
Simon Harris promised a deep dive into the 'wild west' of online betting markets that he said were 'secretive, murky, and unregulated' 

Tue, 19 May, 2026

'I'm told I'm brutal at it': Mary Lou McDonald bowls up in Galway to a warm welcome
'I'm told I'm brutal at it': Mary Lou McDonald bowls up in Galway to a warm welcome
The Sinn Féin leader was generous with her time for residents, listening intently to their concerns and promising to address them

Mon, 18 May, 2026

General Election Ireland 2024
Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch is no 'Robin Hood of the Oireachtas'
Gerry Hutch is a veteran criminal suspected of involvement in two of the biggest armed robberies in the State, writes Mick Clifford

Mon, 18 May, 2026

Fianna Fail Ard Fheis
Elaine Loughlin: Jovial spirit among Fianna Fáil members despite by-election woes
An ard fheis is like a wedding without the bride and groom according to one upbeat TD 

Sun, 17 May, 2026

'This is the time I need to do it': Helen Ogbu looks to make history in Galway West by-election
'This is the time I need to do it': Helen Ogbu looks to make history in Galway West by-election
If victorious in the by-election on Friday, May 22, the Labour candidate will be the first woman of colour elected to Dáil Éireann

 Listen | Sat, 16 May, 2026

 Listen |
Dublin Central by-election: Candidates try to keep ice cool as canvassing heats up
Dublin Central by-election: Candidates try to keep ice cool as canvassing heats up
While it would be easy to frame the contest in the heart of the capital as a straight fight between the Government and opposition parties, that does not tell the full story

 Listen | Sat, 16 May, 2026

 Listen |
Electing our candidate in Galway 'would be the ultimate two fingers to the far right', Labour says
Electing our candidate in Galway 'would be the ultimate two fingers to the far right', Labour says
Meanwhile, many who have been out canvassing in Dublin Central see the Green Party councillor Janet Horner as a dark horse, writes Elaine Loughlin

 Listen | Sat, 16 May, 2026

 Listen |
The Mick Clifford Podcast: What’s at stake in the Dublin Central and Galway West by-elections?
The Mick Clifford Podcast: What’s at stake in the Dublin Central and Galway West by-elections?
Voters in two high-profile constituencies prepare to elect new TDs in the first by-elections since the 2024 general election

 Listen | Fri, 15 May, 2026

 Listen |
Farm girls herd geese along stony road near farm cottages
Colin Sheridan: Voters grow weary of feeling left behind by politicians
In An Cheathrú Rua, there is a lingering sense among many voters that politics happens around them rather than with them

Fri, 15 May, 2026

Fianna Fail Ard Fheis
Micheál Martin: We can't physically stop Bertie Ahern from canvassing
Ahern recorded saying he was 'worried' about the Africans' migrating to Ireland

Fri, 15 May, 2026

Dr Martin Mansergh funeral
Bertie Ahern migration comments ’caused hurt and harm’, Tánaiste says
Simon Harris said he 'deplores' any abuse suffered by any candidate and that Mr Ahern's comments were 'not appropriate'

Fri, 15 May, 2026

General Election Ireland 2024
Sinn Féin and Social Democrats lead the way in Dublin Central by-election poll
A third of voters told pollsters that the cost of living is their main concern in the election

Thu, 14 May, 2026

Dr Martin Mansergh funeral
Fianna Fáil MEP calls on Bertie Ahern to apologise for immigration remarks
Labour leader Ivana Bacik calls comments 'deeply disturbing', Tánaiste Simon Harris says they were 'not appropriate'

Thu, 14 May, 2026

Eamon De Valera 50th anniversary
Bertie Ahern admits he ‘probably shouldn’t have said’ remarks on immigration and Muslims
Former taoiseach says he regrets parts of doorstep exchange recorded during Dublin Central by-election canvassing campaign

Wed, 13 May, 2026

Dr Martin Mansergh funeral
Taoiseach distances Fianna Fáil from Bertie Ahern immigration remarks
Micheál Martin says Ireland must respect people of all ethnic backgrounds following controversy over Bertie Ahern remarks

Wed, 13 May, 2026

Bertie Ahern says there are 'too many' immigrants coming into Ireland in social media video
Bertie Ahern says there are 'too many' immigrants coming into Ireland in social media video
Former taoiseach filmed during Dublin Central canvass discussing immigration, Muslims, and border controls with local voter

Tue, 12 May, 2026

More than half a million euro wagered on Gerry Hutch to win Dáil seat
More than half a million euro wagered on Gerry Hutch to win Dáil seat
Polymarket has taken $1.1m in bets on the outcome of the Dublin Central by election — including $180,000 on campaigner Gillian Sheratt who is not a candidate

Tue, 12 May, 2026

Dublin Central by-election
No constraints exist on election wagers, says watchdog, as by-elections attract $1m in bets
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland said a new licensing regime is being rolled out under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024

Tue, 12 May, 2026

Taoiseach Micheal Martin visit to Belfast
Paul Hosford: By-elections will highlight differing fortunes of government parties
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are not the only parties with high stakes in the next 14 days in Dublin Central and Galway West

Sat, 09 May, 2026

Fine Gael 'buoyed' with by-election poll, Sinn Féin 'not out of the race'
Fine Gael 'buoyed' with by-election poll, Sinn Féin 'not out of the race'
Tánaiste Simon Harris described the results as pointing to a 'very competitive by‑election'

Fri, 08 May, 2026

'Straight out of the Donald Trump playbook': Reaction to Gerard Hutch's comments on migrants
'Straight out of the Donald Trump playbook': Reaction to Gerard Hutch's comments on migrants
Residents of Dublin Central had mixed reactions to the by-election candidate's remarks, with some backing his stance and others describing them as 'prejudiced and harmful'

Wed, 06 May, 2026

There was no previous falling out with Sinn Féin, says Janice Boylan 
There was no previous falling out with Sinn Féin, says Janice Boylan 
The candidate for Dublin Central addressed comments made in 2022 

Tue, 05 May, 2026

Young Couple Arguing and Fighting. Domestic Violence Scene of Emotional abuse, Stressed Woman and aggressive Man Having Almost V
Labour calls for non-means-tested fund to support domestic violence victims with essential costs
Proposal seeks €3m pilot fund to remove financial barriers for those leaving abusive relationships and accessing support

Tue, 05 May, 2026

Gerard Hutch calls for 'internment' for 'illegal immigrants' during interview
Gerard Hutch calls for 'internment' for 'illegal immigrants' during interview
“Foreign nationals” are needed for jobs that Irish people have “gone too posh for”, such as working in McDonald's, the veteran criminal said

Mon, 04 May, 2026

By-election candidates accuse Government of 'gaslighting' the public in fiery debate
By-election candidates accuse Government of 'gaslighting' the public in fiery debate
The fiery debate featured Janice Boylan of Sinn Féin, Social Democrat Daniel Ennis, Fine Gael’s Ray McAdam, and Ruth O’Dea of the Labour Party

Sun, 03 May, 2026

Mick Clifford: The past for Fianna Fáil was glorious, the future bulges with uncertainty
Mick Clifford: The past for Fianna Fáil was glorious, the future bulges with uncertainty
From civil war origins to decades of dominance, the party’s evolution reflects Ireland’s shifting political and economic landscape

Sun, 03 May, 2026

Sinn Fein Ard Fheis 2026
Louise Burne: Sinn Féin on road to being 'a normal party' as members row in behind Mary Lou McDonald
As discussions on Saturday between journalists and Sinn Féin members moved to Mary Lou’s leadership, Sinn Féin did what Sinn Féin does best.

Sat, 25 Apr, 2026

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