{"id":463401,"date":"2026-05-23T13:00:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-23T13:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/463401\/"},"modified":"2026-05-23T13:00:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-23T13:00:09","slug":"live-social-democrats-daniel-ellis-leading-in-dublin-fine-gaels-sean-kyne-in-galway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/463401\/","title":{"rendered":"Live: Social Democrats’ Daniel Ellis leading in Dublin, Fine Gael’s Se\u00e1n Kyne in Galway"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Dublin Central by-election now looks to be a two-candidate race between the Social Democrats and Sinn F\u00e9in.
\nThe Social Democrats\u2019 Daniel Ennis is in pole position to win the Dublin Central by-election, with 100 per cent of tallies now complete.
\nEnnis is currently on 19.7 per cent of first preferences, narrowly ahead of Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s Janice Boylan on 17.7 per cent – a gap of roughly 500 votes.
\nIn Galway West, Se\u00e1n Kyne leads the way with 20.3 per cent of the vote.
\nLabour leader Ivana Bacik is hopeful transfers from the left will give Helen Ogbu the boost she needs to close the gap in Galway West.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

1.30pm<\/p>\n

Labour leader Ivana Bacik is hopeful transfers from the left will give Helen Ogbu the boost she needs to close the gap in Galway West.<\/p>\n

Galway West, 61% tallied:<\/p>\n

Thomas (INDIRL): 20.5%
Kyne (FG): 20.3%
Ogbu (LAB): 12.0%
Welby (IND): 8.2%
Keane (FF): 7.1%<\/p>\n

See the full LIVE tally as it comes in at https:\/\/t.co\/6aFNPANUwa<\/a>#ByElections26<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/9iNmf8p7EE<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ireland Votes (@Ireland_Votes) May 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

If the first count reflects the tally tabulation, on 4.1%, this will be Fianna F\u00e1il’s worst ever election performance, beating their record low seen at the Dublin Bay South by-election in 2021.#ByElection26<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/JgZcJOToPp<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ireland Votes (@Ireland_Votes) May 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

1pm\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Dublin Central by-election now looks to be a two-candidate race between the Social Democrats and Sinn F\u00e9in.<\/p>\n

All of the tallies are now complete, with a first count expected in the early afternoon.<\/p>\n

The Social Democrats\u2019 Daniel Ennis is in pole position to win the Dublin Central by-election, with 100 per cent of tallies now complete.<\/p>\n

Ennis is currently on 19.7 per cent of first preferences, narrowly ahead of Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s Janice Boylan on 17.7 per cent – a gap of roughly 500 votes.<\/p>\n

Attention is now turning to transfers, and several experienced tally figures here believe Ennis is best placed to benefit as the count progresses.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the transfers of Gerard ‘The Monk’ Hutch will be closely watched, although there\u2019s scepticism among tally teams that they will be strong enough to push the Sinn F\u00e9in candidate ahead of the Social Democrats.<\/p>\n

While the Social Democrats are confident that Daniel Ennis will benefit from the transfers of the Green Party candidate Janet Horner, who’s outperformed expectations and sits on around 11.5 per cent.<\/p>\n

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A ballot paper showing a first preference for independent candidate, Gerard Hutch, at the count for the Dublin Central by-election at the RDS, Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless\/PA Images<\/p>\n

12.20pm<\/p>\n

Social Democrats candidate Daniel Ennis seems to have a lead over his Sinn F\u00e9in rival Janice Boylan for the D\u00e1il seat in Dublin Central.<\/p>\n

12pm<\/p>\n

It’s still early doors in both Dublin Central and Galway West, but we are getting a picture of how these by elections are going to play out, with about 75 per cent of boxes open and tallied in Dublin Central.<\/p>\n

It’s Sinn F\u00e9in’s Janice Boylan, who leads on about 19.8 per cent of the vote, followed by Daniel Ennis on 18.3 per cent for the Social Democrats.<\/p>\n

11.30am<\/p>\n

In Galway West, Se\u00e1n Kyne of Fine Gael is leading the way, looking for an unlikely win for a Government candidate, he stands on 18.5 per cent.<\/p>\n

11am<\/p>\n

\u00a0Janice Boylan of Sinn F\u00e9in and Daniel Ennis of the Social Democrats are in a tight contest in Dublin Central.\u00a0<\/p>\n

_________________________________________________________<\/p>\n

Ballot boxes are being opened following the Galway West and Dublin Central byelections.<\/p>\n

The process of\u00a0counting votes\u00a0in two closely-watched\u00a0byelections\u00a0begins on Saturday morning.<\/p>\n

Two new members of the D\u00e1il will be elected in the process after voters in parts of Galway and Dublin went to the polls on Friday.<\/p>\n

They chose from a a range of candidates to fill the seats vacated by Catherine Connolly when she became president, and former minister Paschal Donohoe, who left political life to become the World Bank\u2019s chief knowledge officer.<\/p>\n

Dublin Central<\/p>\n

Galway West<\/p>\n