2013 Meath East by-election

A by-election was held in the Dáil Éireann Meath East constituency in Ireland on Wednesday, 27 March 2013 following the death of the Fine Gael Teachta Dála (TD) Shane McEntee on 21 December 2012.[1]

2013 Meath East by-election
27 March 2013
 
Nominee Helen McEntee Thomas Byrne Darren O'Rourke
Party Fine Gael Fianna Fáil Sinn Féin
First preferences 9,356 8,002 3,165
Percentage 38.5 32.9 13.0
Final count 11,473 9,582 –
 
Nominee Ben Gilroy Eoin Holmes Seán Ó Buachalla
Party Direct Democracy Labour Green
First preferences 1,568 1,112 423
Percentage 6.5 4.6 1.7
Final count – – –
 
Nominee Seamus McDonagh Mick Martin Charlie Keddy
Party Workers' Party Independent Independent
First preferences 263 190 110
Percentage 1.1 0.8 0.5
Final count – – –
Meath East shown within Ireland
TD before election

Shane McEntee
Fine Gael

 Elected TD

Helen McEntee
Fine Gael

The Electoral (Amendment) Act 2011 stipulates that a by-election in Ireland must be held within six months of a vacancy occurring.[2] The electorate of Meath East at the 2011 general election was 64,873.[3]

Fine Gael candidate Helen McEntee, daughter of the deceased, was elected on the third count.[4]

Candidates

On 22 February 2013, both Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin selected their candidates for the by-election. Fianna Fáil selected Senator Thomas Byrne, a former TD for the constituency.[5] Sinn Féin selected Darren O'Rourke, a medical scientist who works as a health policy advisor to Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD. The Workers' Party of Ireland announced that Seamus McDonagh, a spokesperson for the local Campaign Against the Household and Water Taxes (CAHWT) campaign, would contest the election.[6]

On 5 March, the Green Party selected Seán Ó Buachalla as its candidate, a youth club development officer,[5] while Direct Democracy Ireland announced that Ben Gilroy would be contesting the election.[7] On 7 March, Fine Gael selected Helen McEntee, daughter of Shane McEntee, as its candidate.[8] On 9 March, the Labour Party selected Meath County Councillor Eoin Holmes.[9]

There were four independent candidates: Charlie Keddy, Mick Martin, Gerard O'Brien and Jim Tallon.[10]

RTÉ debate

A RTÉ Prime Time television debate held on 25 March featured candidates from the four main parties: Fine Gael, Labour Party, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin. All other candidates were excluded, including the Green Party, DDI and Workers' Party candidates..

Workers' Party candidate Seamus McDonagh said the Prime Time editor had no "consistent criteria" for this decision, and criticised the lack of an invitation to even sit in the audience despite having, he said, the support of several TDs. DDI's Ben Gilroy said RTÉ "just basically ignored us completely."[11]

Result
2013 Meath East by-election[12][10]
PartyCandidateFPv%Count
123
Fine Gael Helen McEntee 38.5 9,356 9,547 11,473
Fianna Fáil Thomas Byrne 32.9 8,002 8,106 9,582
Sinn Féin Darren O'Rourke 13.0 3,165 3,370  
Direct Democracy Ben Gilroy 6.5 1,568 1,793  
Labour Eoin Holmes 4.6 1,112 1,245  
Green Seán Ó Buachalla 1.7 423    
Workers' Party Seamus McDonagh 1.1 263    
Independent Mick Martin 0.8 190    
Independent Charlie Keddy 0.5 110    
Independent Gerard O'Brien 0.3 73    
Independent Jim Tallon 0.2 47    
Electorate: 64,164   Valid: 24,309   Spoilt: 259   Quota: 12,155   Turnout: 38.3%

    Fine Gael candidate Helen McEntee finished first on the first count with 9,356 votes (38.5%), while Fianna Fáil's Thomas Byrne came second with 8,002 votes (32.9%). McEntee was elected on the third count with 11,473 votes.[13] The Labour Party candidate Eoin Holmes, got 4.6%, down from 21.0% that Labour received at the 2011 general election, and finished fifth behind new party Direct Democracy Ireland.[14]

    It is the first time since 1975 that Fine Gael have won a by-election while in government.

    See also

    References
    1. "Meath East by-election set for 27 March". RTÉ News. 5 March 2013.
    2. "Electoral (Amendment) Act 2011". Irish Statute Book. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
    3. "Meath East – General Election: 25 February 2011". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
    4. "Meath East by-election 2013". RTÉ News. 28 March 2013. Archived from the original on 1 April 2013.
    5. "Parties set to choose Meath East by-election candidates". TheJournal.ie. 21 February 2013.
    6. "By-election picking up steam as parties select runners". The Meath Chronicle. 22 February 2013.
    7. "Ben Gilroy to Stand in Meath By-Election". Direct Democracy Ireland. 5 March 2013.
    8. "Helen McEntee to run for late father's seat in Meath East by-election". RTÉ News. 7 March 2013.
    9. "Eoin Holmes to stand for Labour in Meath East". RTÉ News. 9 March 2013.
    10. "11 candidates to contest Meath East by-election". RTÉ News. 13 March 2013.
    11. "Prime Time criticised as candidates excluded from Meath East debate". The Journal. 26 March 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
    12. "Meath East by-election". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
    13. "Helen McEntee wins Meath East by-election after third count". RTÉ News. 28 March 2013.
    14. "Pressure on Gilmore over election disaster". Irish Independent. 29 March 2013.
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