2005 Kildare North by-election

A by-election was held in the Dáil Éireann Kildare North constituency in Ireland on Friday, 11 March 2005. It followed the resignation of Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) Charlie McCreevy on 31 October 2004 to take up his new position as Ireland's European Commissioner.

2005 Kildare North by-election

11 March 2005
Turnout	25,524 (39.2%)
Nominee Catherine Murphy Áine Brady Darren Scully Party Independent Fianna Fáil Fine Gael First preferences 5,985 6,201 4,630 Percentage 23.6 24.5 18.3 Final count 12,256 9,818 –   Nominee Paddy MacNamara Kate Walsh J. J. Power Party Labour Progressive Democrats Green First preferences 6,087 2,006 1,547 Percentage 17.8 7.9 6.1 Final count – – –   Nominee Gerry Browne Seanán Ó Coistín Party Independent Independent First preferences 226 211 Percentage 0.9 0.8 Final count – –
Kildare North shown within Ireland
TD before election Charlie McCreevy Fianna Fáil Elected TD Catherine Murphy Independent

On 15 February 2005 the campaign began in earnest when it was announced that polling would take place on 11 March. Eight candidates contested the vacant seat, with victory going to the Independent candidate, Catherine Murphy.[1] Her 23.6% share of the first-preference vote was the lowest recorded at any by-election since Patrick Kinane won the Tipperary by-election in October 1947 with a 21.4% share.[2]

As a result of her election, Kildare North was the only constituency in the Republic of Ireland that did not have a TD from one of the government parties of Fianna Fáil or the Progressive Democrats. Murphy also went into the record books as County Kildare's first ever female member of Dáil Éireann.

On the same day, a by-election took place in Meath, both were the final occasions which the Progressive Democrats contested by-elections.