2011 Dublin West by-election
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2011 Dublin West by-election
| country = Ireland
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_year = 2011 general election
| election_date = 27 October 2011
| next_year = 2016 general election
| turnout = 36,391 (58.3%)
| 1blank = {{nowrap|First preferences}}
| 2blank = Percentage
| 3blank = Final count
|image1 =
|nominee1 = {{nowrap|Patrick Nulty}}
|party1 = Labour Party (Ireland)
|1data1 = 8,665
|2data1 = 24.3%
|3data1 = 17,636
|image2 = 120x120px
|nominee2 = {{nowrap|David McGuinness}}
|party2 = Fianna Fáil
|1data2 = 7,742
|2data2 = 21.7%
|3data2 = 11,590
|image3 = 120x120px
|nominee3 = {{nowrap|Ruth Coppinger}}
|party3 = Socialist Party (Ireland)
|1data3 = 7,542
|2data3 = 21.1%
|3data3 = –
| image4 =
| colour4 =
| nominee4 = {{nowrap|Eithne Loftus}}
| party4 = Fine Gael
| 1data4 = 5,263
| 2data4 = 14.7%
| 3data4 = –
| image5 = 120x120px
| colour5 =
| nominee5 = Paul Donnelly
| leader5 =
| party5 = Sinn Féin
| 1data5 = 3,173
| 2data5 = 8.9%
| 3data5 = –
|image6 = 120x120px
|nominee6 = {{nowrap|Roderic O'Gorman}}
|party6 = Green Party (Ireland)
|1data6 = 1,787
|2data6 = 5.0%
|3data6 = –
|image7 =
|nominee7 = Barry Caesar Hunt
|party7 = Independent politician
|1data7 = 775
|2data7 = 2.2%
|3data7 = –
|image8 =
|nominee8 = John Frank Kidd
|party8 = Independent politician
|1data8 = 311
|2data8 = 0.9%
|3data8 = –
|image9 =
|nominee9 = Gary Bermingham
|party9 = Independent politician
|1data9 = 185
|2data9 = 0.5%
|3data9 = –
| map_image = Dublin West Dáil Éireann constituency.png
| map_size = 150px
| map_alt =
| map =
| map_caption = Dublin West shown within County Dublin
| title = TD
| before_election = Brian Lenihan Jnr
| before_party = Fianna Fáil
| posttitle =
| after_election = Patrick Nulty
| after_party = Labour Party (Ireland)
}}
A by-election was held in the Dáil Éireann Dublin West constituency in Ireland on Thursday 27 October 2011,{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0907/dublinwest.html |title=Dublin West by-election set for 27 October |date=7 September 2011 |publisher=RTÉ News |access-date=12 September 2011 |archive-date=29 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111029035721/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0907/dublinwest.html |url-status=live }} following the death of Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) and former Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan Jnr on 10 June 2011.{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/brian-lenihan-dead-from-pancreatic-cancer-at-52-2671843.html |title=Brian Lenihan dead from pancreatic cancer at 52 |date=10 June 2011 |work=Irish Independent |access-date=12 September 2011 |archive-date=3 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903121340/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/brian-lenihan-dead-from-pancreatic-cancer-at-52-2671843.html |url-status=live }} The 2011 Irish presidential election and two constitutional referendums were held on the same day.
Patrick Nulty of the Labour Party was elected after a prolonged count.
Candidates
Thirteen candidates contested the by-election.{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1012/dublinwest.html |title=Nominations close for Dublin West by-election |date=12 October 2011 |publisher=RTÉ News |access-date=13 October 2011 |archive-date=13 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013033402/http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1012/dublinwest.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.thejournal.ie/13-names-in-the-running-for-dublin-west-by-election-252512-Oct2011/ |title=13 names in the running for Dublin West by-election |last=Reilly |first=Gavan |date=12 October 2011 |publisher=thejournal.ie |accessdate=13 October 2011 |archive-date=15 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015123856/http://www.thejournal.ie/13-names-in-the-running-for-dublin-west-by-election-252512-Oct2011/ |url-status=live }} Four were members of Fingal County Council: David McGuinness of Fianna Fáil,{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0914/1224304082786.html |title=Running mate of Lenihan to contest Dublin West for FF |last=Duncan |first=Pamela |date=14 September 2011 |work=The Irish Times |access-date=16 September 2011 |archive-date=14 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914132819/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0914/1224304082786.html |url-status=live }} Eithne Loftus of Fine Gael, Patrick Nulty of the Labour Party, and Ruth Coppinger of the Socialist Party.{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/socialist-byelection-candidate-holds-on-to-her-teaching-post-2873594.html |title=Socialist by-election candidate holds on to her teaching post |last=Kelly |first=Fiach |date=12 September 2011 |work=Irish Independent |access-date=16 September 2011 |archive-date=3 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103070841/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/socialist-byelection-candidate-holds-on-to-her-teaching-post-2873594.html |url-status=live }} The other party candidates were Paul Donnelly of Sinn Féin,{{cite news |url=http://www.thejournal.ie/first-candidates-named-in-dublin-west-by-election-221354-Sep2011/ |title=First candidates named in Dublin West by-election |date=9 September 2011 |work=The Journal |access-date=16 September 2011 |archive-date=24 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924200414/http://www.thejournal.ie/first-candidates-named-in-dublin-west-by-election-221354-Sep2011/ |url-status=live }} Roderic O'Gorman of the Green Party{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0909/1224303758859.html |title=Councillor warns against FG byelection 'carpetbagger' |author=Mary Minihan |author2=Cian Nihill |name-list-style=amp |date=9 September 2011 |work=The Irish Times |access-date=16 September 2011 |archive-date=24 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024165415/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0909/1224303758859.html |url-status=live }} and Peadar Ó Ceallaigh of Fís Nua.
There were six independent candidates: Gary Bermingham, a satirical actor and artist; Benny Cooney, a FÁS employee; Brendan Doris, an architect; Barry Caesar Hunt, a contestant in The Apprentice reality television show in 2010; John Frank Kidd, a retired fire officer; and Jim Tallon, a farmer.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1004/1224305205130.html|title=Candidates to step up canvassing|work=The Irish Times|date=4 October 2011|access-date=4 October 2011|archive-date=4 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004190246/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1004/1224305205130.html|url-status=live}}
Donnelly, McGuinness, Nulty and O'Gorman had all been unsuccessful candidates in this constituency at the general election in February 2011.{{cite web |url=http://electionsireland.org/result.cfm?election=2011&cons=112 |title=31st Dáil - Dublin West |work=Elections Ireland |accessdate=16 September 2011 |archive-date=16 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016151358/http://www.electionsireland.org/result.cfm?election=2011&cons=112 |url-status=live }} Bermingham, Cooney, Ó Ceallaigh and Tallon had been candidates in other constituencies at the same election.
Result
{{STV Election box begin2
|numcounts = 5
}}
{{STV Election box candidate2
|candidate = Patrick Nulty{{cite news |url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/nulty-to-contest-by-election-for-labour-521251.html |title=Nulty to contest by-election for Labour |date=20 September 2011 |work=Irish Examiner |access-date=24 September 2011 |archive-date=27 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927015246/http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/nulty-to-contest-by-election-for-labour-521251.html |url-status=live }}
|party = Labour Party (Ireland)
|percentage = 24.3
|count1 = 8,665
|count2 = 8,885
|count3 = 10,186
|count4 = 13,027
|count5 = 17,636
}}
{{STV Election box candidate2
|party = Fianna Fáil
|percentage = 21.7
|count1 = 7,742
|count2 = 7,935
|count3 = 8,720
|count4 = 9,873
|count5 = 11,590
}}
{{STV Election box candidate2
|candidate = Ruth Coppinger
|party = Socialist Party (Ireland)
|percentage = 21.1
|count1 = 7,542
|count2 = 7,834
|count3 = 9,368
|count4 = 9,873
|count5 =
}}
{{STV Election box candidate2
|party = Fine Gael
|percentage = 14.7
|count1 = 5,263
|count2 = 5,410
|count3 = 5,942
|count4 =
|count5 =
}}
{{STV Election box candidate2
|candidate = Paul Donnelly{{cite news |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/donnelly-gets-sinn-fein-nod-for-dublin-west-byelection-16047332.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721043753/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/donnelly-gets-sinn-fein-nod-for-dublin-west-byelection-16047332.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 July 2012 |title=Donnelly gets Sinn Féin nod for Dublin West by-election |date=9 September 2011 |work=Belfast Telegraph |accessdate=9 September 2011}}
|party = Sinn Féin
|percentage = 8.9
|count1 = 3,173
|count2 = 3,309
|count3 =
|count4 =
|count5 =
}}
{{STV Election box candidate2
|candidate = Roderic O'Gorman
|party = Green Party (Ireland)
|percentage = 5.0
|count1 = 1,787
|count2 = 1,925
|count3 =
|count4 =
|count5 =
}}
{{STV Election box candidate2
|candidate = Barry Caesar Hunt
|party = Independent politician
|percentage = 2.2
|count1 = 775
|count2 =
|count3 =
|count4 =
|count5 =
}}
{{STV Election box candidate2
|party = Independent politician
|percentage = 0.9
|count1 = 311
|count2 =
|count3 =
|count4 =
|count5 =
}}
{{STV Election box candidate2
|party = Independent politician
|percentage = 0.5
|count1 = 185
|count2 =
|count3 =
|count4 =
|count5 =
}}
{{STV Election box candidate2
|party = Independent politician
|percentage = 0.3
|count1 = 95
|count2 =
|count3 =
|count4 =
|count5 =
}}
{{STV Election box candidate2
|party = Independent politician
|percentage = 0.2
|count1 = 73
|count2 =
|count3 =
|count4 =
|count5 =
}}
{{STV Election box candidate2
|party = Independent politician
|percentage = 0.1
|count1 = 51
|count2 =
|count3 =
|count4 =
|count5 =
}}
{{STV Election box candidate2
|candidate = Peadar Ó Ceallaigh
|party = Fís Nua
|percentage = 0.1
|count1 = 40
|count2 =
|count3 =
|count4 =
|count5 =
}}
{{STV Election box end2
|numcounts = 5
|electorate = 62,396
|valid = 35,702
|spoilt = 689 (1.9%)
|quota = 17,852
|turnout = 36,391 (58.3%)
}}
A full recount was ordered after only 18 votes separated Socialist Party candidate Ruth Coppinger from Fianna Fáil candidate David McGuinness.{{cite news |url=http://www.thejournal.ie/all-seven-independents-knocked-out-of-dublin-west-by-election-266308-Oct2011/ |title=Full recount ordered in Dublin West by-election |work=TheJournal.ie |date=28 October 2011 |access-date=28 October 2011 |archive-date=29 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111029125628/http://www.thejournal.ie/all-seven-independents-knocked-out-of-dublin-west-by-election-266308-Oct2011/ |url-status=live }} After the recount, both McGuinness and Coppinger had the same number of votes in the fourth count. Under electoral law Coppinger was eliminated, for McGuinness had more first-preference votes.{{cite web |url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1992/en/act/pub/0023/sec0122.html |title=Electoral Act, 1992, sec. 122 (3) |work=Irish Statute Book |accessdate=30 October 2011 |archive-date=14 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114110248/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1992/en/act/pub/0023/sec0122.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/labours-pat-nulty-elected-in-dublin-west-2920873.html |title=Labour's Pat Nulty elected in Dublin West |date=29 October 2011 |work=Irish Independent |access-date=29 October 2011 |archive-date=30 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030023034/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/labours-pat-nulty-elected-in-dublin-west-2920873.html |url-status=live }}
It was the first time since July 1982 – when Noel Treacy won a seat in Galway East – that a candidate of a governing party won a by-election.{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1029/breaking4.html |title=Labour wins Dublin byelection |work=The Irish Times |date=29 October 2011 |first=Marie |last=O'Halloran |access-date=29 October 2011 |archive-date=30 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030123248/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1029/breaking4.html |url-status=live }} The result left Fianna Fáil with no TDs in Dublin city and County.{{cite news |url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/nulty-elected-in-dublin-west-526334.html |title=Nulty elected in Dublin West |date=29 October 2011 |work=Irish Examiner |access-date=29 October 2011 |archive-date=1 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101192945/http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/nulty-elected-in-dublin-west-526334.html |url-status=live }}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{Dáil by-elections}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dublin West by-election, 2011}}
Category:2011 in Irish politics
Category:By-elections in County Dublin