First tallies indicate that the Social Democrats\u2019 Daniel Ennis is ahead in Dublin Central
\nEnnis is on 19.6 per cent of first preferences, followed by Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s Janice Boylan on 17.7 per cent
\nFine Gael\u2019s Sean Kyne and Independent Ireland and former Fianna F\u00e1il representative Noel Thomas are neck-and-neck in Galway West
\nNoel Thomas is on 20.2 per cent, Fine Gael\u2019s Sean Kyne is on 19.9 per cent, and Labour\u2019s Helen Ogbu is on 11.8 per cent<\/p>\n
3.40pm<\/p>\n
Fianna F\u00e1il is on course for its worst ever by-election result with John Stephens tallying around 4.2 per cent in Dublin Central.<\/p>\n
Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien has denied that means Miche\u00e1l Martin’s leadership is under further pressure.<\/p>\n
“[There] isn’t a week that passes where someone doesn’t ask me that question. I’ve been asked that quesiton since 2020 actually,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Since after the 2020 general election, I was asked would Miche\u00e1l lead us into the general election. I said he would. He did, and not only did he do that, he came back and he returned as Taoiseach with the largest party in D\u00e1il \u00c9ireann.<\/p>\n
“Our focus though has got to be in working for our people<\/p>\n
2.50pm<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in leader Mary Lou McDonald has said she \u201cfeels no pressure\u201d over her leadership as counting continues in two by-elections in Dublin and Galway.<\/p>\n
The hand counting of votes in two constituencies in Galway and Dublin began at 9am on Saturday and is expected to continue for several hours as candidates are eliminated and their votes transferred to those still in the running.<\/p>\n
First tallies indicate that the Social Democrats\u2019 Daniel Ennis is ahead in Dublin Central, with Fine Gael\u2019s Sean Kyne and Independent Ireland and former Fianna F\u00e1il representative Noel Thomas neck-and-neck in Galway West.<\/p>\n
The by-elections were held 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
Social Democrats candidate Daniel Ennis secured the most first preferences in the Dublin Central by-election, according to an unofficial tally of the ballots.<\/p>\n
With 100 per cent of boxes open, the tally put Ennis on 19.6 per cent of first preferences, followed by Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s Janice Boylan on 17.7 per cent.<\/p>\n
Ennis and Boylan were followed by Green Party\u2019s Janet Horner (11.5 per cent) and Fine Gael\u2019s Ray McAdam (10.7 per cent).<\/p>\n
Gerard \u201cThe Monk\u201d Hutch, who has been described in court by a judge as the patriarchal figurehead of the Hutch criminal organisation, polled at 11.4 per cent.<\/p>\n
Next in the running are Independent Malachy Steenson (9.5 per cent), People Before Profit-Solidarity\u2019s Eoghan \u00d3 Ceannabh\u00e1in (6.7 per cent), Labour\u2019s Ruth O\u2019Dea (5.8 per cent), Fianna F\u00e1il\u2019s John Stephens (4.2 per cent), and Aont\u00fa\u2019s Ian Noel Smyth (2 per cent).<\/p>\n
With more than 95 per cent of boxes opened in Galway West, the tally put Independent Ireland and former Fianna F\u00e1il representative Noel Thomas on 20.2 per cent, Fine Gael\u2019s Sean Kyne on 19.9 per cent and Labour\u2019s Helen Ogbu on 11.8 per cent.<\/p>\n
Fianna F\u00e1il\u2019s candidate Cillian Keane is on 9.1 per cent, the Social Democrats\u2019 M\u00edde Nic Fhionnlaoich on 6.8 per cent, Galway mayor Mike Cubbard is on 7 per cent, and Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s candidate Mark Lohan is on 6.5 per cent.<\/p>\n
Cillian Sherlock and Gr\u00e1inne N\u00ed Aodha, Press Association<\/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
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