2015 Carlow–Kilkenny by-election

A by-election was held in the Dáil Éireann Carlow–Kilkenny constituency in Ireland on Friday, 22 May 2015, to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Fine Gael Teachta Dála (TD) Phil Hogan on his appointment as European Commissioner. It was held on the same day as national referendums on marriage equality and the age of eligibility for election to the office of president.[1] The Electoral (Amendment) Act 2011 stipulates that a by-election in Ireland must be held within six months of a vacancy occurring.[2] The by-election writ was moved in the Dáil on 29 April 2015.[3]

2015 Carlow–Kilkenny by-election
22 May 2015
Turnout68,900 (65.3%)
 
Nominee Bobby Aylward David Fitzgerald Kathleen Funchion
Party Fianna Fáil Fine Gael Sinn Féin
First preferences 18,572 13,744 10,806
Percentage 27.8 20.6 16.2
Final count 26,529 21,632 –
 
Nominee Patrick McKee Willie Quinn Malcolm Noonan
Party Renua Labour Green
First preferences 6,365 4,673 3,549
Percentage 9.5 7.0 5.3
Final count – – –
 
Nominee Adrienne Wallace Breda Gardner Conor MacLiam
Party People Before Profit Independent Anti-Austerity Alliance
First preferences 2,377 2,792 2,194
Percentage 3.6 4.2 3.3
Final count – – –
Carlow–Kilkenny shown within Ireland
TD before election

Phil Hogan
Fine Gael

 Elected TD

Bobby Aylward
Fianna Fáil

At the 2011 general election, the constituency elected three Fine Gael TDs, one Labour Party TD and one Fianna Fáil TD.[4] In the May 2014 local elections, Carlow County Council elected 6 Fine Gael, 5 Fianna Fáil, 3 Sinn Féin, 2 Labour and 2 Independent Councillors, while Kilkenny County Council elected 10 Fianna Fáil, 7 Fine Gael, 3 Sinn Féin, 2 Labour, 1 Green Party and 1 Independent Councillor. Patrick McKee, who stood for Renua Ireland, had been elected to Kilkenny County Council for Fianna Fáil.[5]

Former TD Bobby Aylward of Fianna Fáil won the by-election on the 9th count, having received 27.8% of the first-preference votes. Aylward had previously represented Carlow–Kilkenny from 2007 until 2011.[6] The result marked the first by-election win for Fianna Fáil since 1996, and the first time they had gained a seat from Fine Gael in a by-election since the Donegal–Leitrim contest in 1970.

Result
2015 Carlow–Kilkenny by-election[6][7]
PartyCandidateFPv%Count
123456789
Fianna Fáil Bobby Aylward 27.8 18,572 18,713 18,845 19,223 19,480 19,898 20,950 22,826 26,529
Fine Gael David Fitzgerald 20.6 13,744 13,826 13,895 14,174 14,289 15,058 16,612 18,875 21,632
Sinn Féin Kathleen Funchion 16.2 10,806 11,006 11,501 11,974 13,113 13,879 14,632 16,437  
Renua Patrick McKee 9.5 6,365 6,530 6,736 7,225 7,678 8,532 9,269    
Labour Willie Quinn 7.0 4,673 4,803 4,853 4,954 5,252 5,775      
Green Malcolm Noonan 5.3 3,549 3,651 3,836 4,257 4,528        
Independent Breda Gardner 4.2 2,792 3,016 3,226            
People Before Profit Adrienne Wallace 3.6 2,377 2,644 3,256 3,640          
Anti-Austerity Alliance Conor MacLiam 3.3 2,194 2,296              
Independent Peter O'Loughlin 1.4 930                
Independent Daithí Holohan 0.6 374                
Independent Noel Walsh 0.4 243                
Independent Elizabeth Hourihane 0.3 215                
Electorate: 105,449   Valid: 66,834   Spoilt: 2,066 (3.0%)   Quota: 33,418   Turnout: 68,900 (65.3%)

    See also

    References
    1. "Same-sex marriage referendum to be held in May". RTÉ News. 16 December 2014.
    2. "Electoral (Amendment) Act 2011". Irish Statute Book. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
    3. "Carlow–Kilkenny By-election: Issue of Writ". Dáil debates. Oireachtas. 29 April 2015. pp. 27–30. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
    4. "Carlow–Kilkenny – General Election: 25 February 2011". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
    5. "Kilkenny Fianna Fail Councillor unveiled as Renua candidate for by-election". KCLR. 31 March 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
    6. "By-Election: Carlow–Kilkenny". RTÉ. 23 May 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2015.
    7. "Carlow–Kilkenny by-election". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
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