![\"Social](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/00246b34-614.jpg\"\/)
\nBuilding on the legacy of Social Democrat party founders, Catherine Murphy and R\u00f3is\u00edn Shortall, Daniel Ennis proved transfer-friendly<\/p>\n
The count may be done and dusted in Dublin Central but the attention of local political watchers is already turning to the next general election.<\/p>\n
The Social Democrats’ newest TD, Daniel Ennis, will join his party colleague Gary Gannon alongside Labour’s Marie Sherlock and Sinn F\u00e9in leader Mary Lou McDonald in representing this four-seat constituency.<\/p>\n
It will be a tall task for the Social Democrats to retain both their seats – but it’s a first-world political problem for the growing party.<\/p>\n
\nBuilding on the legacy of Social Democrat party founders, Catherine Murphy and R\u00f3is\u00edn Shortall, Daniel Ennis proved transfer-friendly<\/p>\n
A constituency redraw or enlargement cannot be ruled out either, so both deputies Gannon and Ennis will likely worry about the next general election further down the line.<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in should have taken two seats here in 2020 when it pulled 1.78 of a quota but only had one candidate.<\/p>\n
If Mary Lou McDonald is to lead her party to general election success, this is a constituency she needs to target for a second seat.<\/p>\n
The party’s vote dropped again this weekend to 17.5%, having already declined by 12 percentage points in 2024.<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in figures have expressed satisfaction with Janice Boylan’s campaign despite her loss.<\/p>\n
Ms Boylan defeated disability advocate and mother of Harvey Morrison, Gillian Sherratt, at a selection convention to contest the weekend election.<\/p>\n
Asked whether she would run again, Ms Sherratt said it was early days, but she would be tempted.<\/p>\n
![\"Sinn](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/002469ce-614.jpg\"\/)
\nSinn F\u00e9in candidate Janice Boylan (L) with party leader Mary Lou McDonald at the count in Dublin Central<\/p>\n
Independent Gerard Hutch has indicated he will run again in the next general election.<\/p>\n
This time, his vote share was up on 2024, but his number of first preferences was down.<\/p>\n
His 11.3% of the vote, combined with the 9% accrued by Independent Malachy Steenson, suggests a candidate outspoken on immigration could prosper next time.<\/p>\n
The Green Party is buoyed by Janet Horner’s bye-election showing after she surprised pundits by taking in 11.7% and lasting until the dying embers of the count.<\/p>\n
![\"Janet](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/00246966-614.jpg\"\/)
\nJanet Hornet took 11.7% of first preferences<\/p>\n
The party held a seat here after the 2020 general election and has a strong representation in Dublin City Council from this area.<\/p>\n
The Labour Party’s vote was slightly down on Marie Sherlock’s 7.5% in 2024, for a new candidate in Ruth O’Dea.<\/p>\n
Labour bosses will hope Ms Sherlock can boost that figure next time.<\/p>\n
Fine Gael’s Ray McAdam performed slightly below expectations this weekend but should be well positioned to regain Paschal Donohoe’s old seat here in the next general election.<\/p>\n
The party’s aim was to solidify Mr McAdam’s base for the general election in a similar vein to Mr Donohoe’s run in the 2009 bye-election here.<\/p>\n
Fine Gael figures appear satisfied that aim has been achieved.<\/p>\n
People Before Profit’s Eoghan \u00d3 Ceannabh\u00e1in also increased his vote yesterday and the Irish folk musician’s profile seems to be growing.<\/p>\n
Fianna F\u00e1il took 44.4% of the vote here in 2007 when Bertie Ahern was in his electoral pomp.<\/p>\n
This weekend, its candidate John Stephens posted Fianna F\u00e1il’s worst ever bye-election result with just 4.2% of the vote.<\/p>\n
Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin has alluded to “historical problems” in the constituency, but a lot of soul searching is likely needed by local party apparatchiks.<\/p>\n
Mr Stephens is the party’s councillor for the Cabra-Glasnevin area but the party failed to take a seat with any of its three candidates in the North Inner City in the last local elections.<\/p>\n
Senator Mary Fitzpatrick – who ran in 2007, 2011, 2016, 2020 and 2024 – declined a go in this bye-election.<\/p>\n
Interesting times ahead as party figures adjust to the new political reality in Dublin Central.<\/p>\n
Full Results
\n![\"Dublin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/00246a21-614.jpg\"\/)
\nThe Dublin Central result was declared on the ninth count<\/p>\n