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 ElectionsIreland.org > Results > By Elections > Dáil Éireann > Writs

Dáil Éireann By Election Writs
1918-2005

This page is currently under development and is incomplete.

Click on the date in the 'Writ' column for the Dáil report on the issue of the Writ.

Gains are indicated by yellow shading.
No Constituency Date Outgoing Party Reason Writ

4th Dáil Elected 27 August 1923 - 21 By Elections
1 Dublin South 25 October 1923 Michael Hayes Cumann na nGaedheal Elected for NUI 3 October 1923
2 NUI 3 November 1923 Prof Eoin MacNeill Cumann na nGaedheal Elected for Clare 12 October 1923
3 Dublin South 12 March 1924 Philip Cosgrave Cumann na nGaedheal Died 20 February 1924
4 Dublin County 19 March 1924 Michael Derham Cumann na nGaedheal Died 22 February 1924
5 Limerick 28 May 1924 Richard Hayes Cumann na nGaedheal Resigned 9 May 1924
6 Cork East 18 November 1924 Thomas O'Mahony Cumann na nGaedheal Died 28 October 1924
7 Dublin South 18 November 1924 Hugh Kennedy Cumann na nGaedheal Resigned 28 October 1924
8 Mayo North 18 November 1924 Henry Coyle Cumann na nGaedheal Disqualified 28 October 1924
9 Cork Borough 19 November 1924 Alfred O'Rahilly Cumann na nGaedheal Resigned 28 October 1924
10 Donegal 20 November 1924 Peter Ward Cumann na nGaedheal Resigned 28 October 1924
11 Carlow Kilkenny 11 March 1925 Sean Gibbons Cumann na nGaedheal Resigned 18 February 1925
12 Cavan 11 March 1925 Sean Milroy Cumann na nGaedheal Resigned 18 February 1925
13 Dublin North 11 March 1925 Frank Cahill Cumann na nGaedheal Resigned 18 February 1925
14 Dublin North 11 March 1925 Sean McGarry Cumann na nGaedheal Resigned 18 February 1925
15 Dublin South 11 March 1925 Daniel McCarthy Cumann na nGaedheal Resigned 18 February 1925
16 Leitrim Sligo 11 March 1925 Thomas Carter Cumann na nGaedheal Resigned 18 February 1925
17 Leitrim Sligo 11 March 1925 Alex McCabe Cumann na nGaedheal Resigned 18 February 1925
18 Mayo North 11 March 1925 Joseph McGrath Cumann na nGaedheal Resigned 18 February 1925
19 Roscommon 11 March 1925 Henry Finlay Cumann na nGaedheal Resigned 18 February 1925
20 Dublin County 18 February 1926 Darrell Figgis Independent Died 27 January 1927
21 Laois Offaly 18 February 1926 John McGuinness Republican Disqualified 27 January 1927

5th Dáil Elected 9 June 1927 - 2 By Elections
22 Dublin South 24 August 1927 Constance de Markievicz Fianna Fáil Died 2 August 1927
23 Dublin County 24 August 1927 Kevin O'Higgins Cumann na nGaedheal Died 2 August 1927

6th Dáil Elected 15 September 1927 - 7 By Elections
24 Carlow Kilkenny 3 November 1927 W T Cosgrave Cumann na nGaedheal Resigned 12 October 1927

A controversial vacancy arose in the County Borough of Dublin North after it emerged one of the eight candidates
originally deemed elected may have been an undischarged bankrupt, who was therefore ineligible for election.
The first attempt to move a Writ on 1 March 1928 failed. The Committee on Procedure and Privileges was charged
with investigating the identity of the 'James Larkin' who had been nominated and elected.
25 Dublin North 3 April 1928 James Larkin Irish Workers' League Disqualified 14 March 1928
26 Dublin North 14 March 1929 Alfie Byrne Independent Seanad 20 February 1929
27 Leitrim Sligo 7 June 1929 Samuel Holt Fianna Fáil Died 15 May 1929
28 Longford Westmeath 13 June 1930 James Killane Fianna Fáil Died 21 May 1930
29 Dublin County 9 December 1930 Bryan Cooper Cumann na nGaedheal Died 19 November 1930
30 Kildare 29 June 1931 Hugh Colohan Labour Died 11 June 1931


There were at least two vacancies at the dissolution of the 6th Dáil. These arose close to the date for a general election:

Carlow Kilkenny caused by the death of Peter de Loughry on 23 October 1931
Leix Offaly caused by the death of William Aird on 31 October 1931

8th Dáil Elected 24 January 1933 - 5 By Elections
31 Dublin University 13 October 1933 Sir James Craig Independent Died 4 October 1933
32 Dublin County 17 June 1935 Batt O'Connor Fine Gael Died 29 May 1935
33 Galway 19 June 1935 Martin McDonagh Fine Gael Died 29 May 1935
34 Galway 13 August 1936 Patrick Hogan Fine Gael Died 23 July 1936
35 Wexford 17 August 1936 Osmond Esmonde Fine Gael Died 30 July 1936

A Writ was moved on 18 May 1938 for a By Election in Monaghan.
The vacancy was caused by the death of Eamon Rice.
A General Election was called subsequently for 17 June 1938 and so the Writ lapsed.

10th Dáil Elected 17 June 1938 - 2 By Elections
36 Dublin South 6 June 1939 James Beckett Fine Gael Died 17 May 1939
37 Galway West 30 May 1940 Sean Tubridy Fianna Fáil Died 9 May 1940/
Resumed

There were nine vacancies at the dissolution of the 10th Dáil due to
a reluctance to hold by elections during the Emergency:

Fine Gael Kilkenny caused by the death of Denis Gorey on 20 February 1940
Fianna Fáil Wicklow caused by the death of Seamus Moore on 14 June 1940
Fine Gael Cork South East caused by the death of Brooke Brasier on 30 August 1940
Fianna Fáil Mayo North caused by the death of John Munnelly on 18 October 1941
Fianna Fáil Cork Borough caused by the death of Thomas Dowdall on 7 April 1942 (Dáil Report)
Fianna Fáil Dublin South caused by the death of Thomas Kelly on 20 April 1942 (Dáil Report)
Fianna Fáil Sligo caused by the death of Frank Carty on 10 September 1942 (Dáil Report)
Labour Cork South East caused by the death of Jeremiah Hurley on 2 February 1943
Fianna Fáil Cork Borough caused by the death of Hugo Flinn on 28 January 1944

12th Dáil Elected 30 May 1944 - 10 By Elections
38 Kerry South 10 November 1944 Fionan Lynch Fine Gael Resigned 19 October 1944
39 Clare 4 December 1945 Patrick Burke Fine Gael Died 14 November 1945
40 Dublin North West 4 December 1945 Sean T O'Kelly Fianna Fáil President 14 November 1945
41 Kerry South 4 December 1945 Frederick Crowley Fianna Fáil Died 14 November 1945
42 Mayo South 4 December 1945 Micheál Clery Fianna Fáil Resigned 14 November 1945
43 Wexford 4 December 1945 Richard Corish Labour Died 14 November 1945
44 Cork Borough 14 June 1946 William Dwyer Independent Resigned 22 May 1946
45 Dublin County 29 October 1947 Patrick Fogarty Fianna Fáil Died 8 October 1947
46 Tipperary 29 October 1947 William O'Donnell Clann na Talmhan Died 8 October 1947
47 Waterford 29 October 1947 Michael Morrissey Fianna Fáil Died 8 October 1947

13th Dáil Elected 4 February 1948 - 3 By Elections
48 Donegal East 7 December 1948 Neal Blaney Fianna Fáil Died 17 November 1948
49 Cork West 15 June 1949 Timothy Murphy Labour Died 24 May 1949
50 Donegal West 16 November 1949 Brian Brady Fianna Fáil Died 26 October 1949

14th Dáil Elected 30 May 1951 - 9 By Elections
51 Limerick East 26 June 1952 Daniel Bourke Fianna Fáil Died 5 June 1952
52 Mayo North 26 June 1952 Patrick Ruttledge Fianna Fáil Died 5 June 1952
53 Waterford 26 June 1952 Bridget Redmond Fine Gael Died 5 June 1952
54 Dublin North West 12 November 1952 Alfred Byrne Independent Died 23 October 1952
55 Cork East 18 June 1953 Sean Keane Labour Died 27 May 1953
56 Wicklow 18 June 1953 Thomas Brennan Fianna Fáil Died 27 May 1953
57 Galway South 21 August 1953 Frank Fahy Fianna Fáil Died 31 July 1953
58 Cork Borough 3 March 1954 T F O'Higgins Snr Fine Gael Died 10 February 1954
59 Louth 3 March 1954 James Coburn Fine Gael Died 10 February 1954

15th Dáil Elected 18 May 1954 - 7 By Elections
60 Limerick West 13 December 1955 David Madden Fine Gael Died 23 November 1955
61 Kerry North 29 February 1956 John Connor Clann na Poblachta Died 8 February 1956
62 Dublin North East 30 April 1956 Alfred Byrne Independent Died 10 April 1956
63 Leix Offaly 30 April 1956 William Davin Labour Died 10 April 1956
64 Cork Borough 2 August 1956 Patrick McGrath Fianna Fáil Died 10 July 1956
65 Carlow Kilkenny 14 November 1956 Thomas Walsh Fianna Fáil Died 25 October 1956
66 Dublin South West 14 November 1956 Peadar Doyle Fine Gael Died 25 October 1956

16th Dáil Elected 5 March 1957 - 8 By Elections
67 Dublin North Central 14 November 1957 Colm Gallagher Fianna Fáil Died 23 October 1957
68 Galway South 30 May 1958 Patrick Beegan Fianna Fáil Died 6 May 1958
69 Dublin South Central 25 June 1958 John Murphy Independent Resigned 4 June 1958
70 Clare 22 July 1959 Eamon de Valera Fianna Fáil President 30 June 1959
71 Dublin South West 22 July 1959 Bernard Butler Fianna Fáil Died 30 June 1959
72 Meath 22 July 1959 James Griffin Fianna Fáil Died 30 June 1959
73 Carlow Kilkenny 23 June 1960 Joseph Hughes Fine Gael Died 25 May 1960
74 Sligo Leitrim 1 March 1961 Stephen Flynn Fianna Fáil Died 8 February 1961


There was at least one vacancy at the dissolution of the 16th Dáil. This arose close to the date for a general election:

Wexford caused by the death of Denis Allen on 29 March 1961

17th Dáil Elected 4 October 1961 - 6 By Elections
75 Dublin North East 30 May 1963 Jack Belton Fine Gael 7 May 1963


An attempt was made by Labour TD Seán Casey to move a writ on 13 November 1963 for a By Election in Cork Borough.
This broke with precedence, as it was usual for a member of the same party as a deceased TD to move such a writ.
The question to move the writ was lost 67-71.
The writ was moved subsequently on 29 January 1964 by Joseph Brennan (Fianna Fáil) and agreed without debate.
76 Cork Borough 19 February 1964 John Galvin Fianna Fáil Died 29 January 1964
77 Kildare 19 February 1964 William Norton Labour Died 29 January 1964
78 Roscommon 8 July 1964 James Burke Fine Gael Died 17 June 1964
79 Galway East 3 December 1964 Michael Donnellan Clann na Talmhan Died 5 November 1964
80 Cork Mid 10 March 1965 Daniel Desmond Labour Died 10 February 1965

18th Dáil Elected 7 April 1965 - 7 By Elections
81 Kerry South 7 December 1966 Honor Mary Crowley Fianna Fáil Died 17 November 1966
82 Waterford 7 December 1966 Thaddeus Lynch Fine Gael Died 17 November 1966
83 Cork Borough 9 November 1967 Sean Casey Labour Died 18 October 1967
84 Limerick West 9 November 1967 James Collins Fianna Fáil Died 18 October 1967
85 Clare 14 March 1968 William Murphy Fine Gael Died 21 February 1968
86 Wicklow 14 March 1968 James Everett Labour Died 21 February 1968
87 Limerick East 22 May 1968 Donogh O'Malley Fianna Fáil Died 30 April 1968

19th Dáil Elected 18 June 1969 - 6 By Elections
88 Dublin South West 4 March 1970 Sean Dunne Labour Died 11 February 1970
89 Kildare 14 April 1970 Gerard Sweetman Fine Gael Died 18 March 1970
90 Longford Westmeath 14 April 1970 Patrick Lenihan Fianna Fáil Died 18 March 1970
91 Donegal Leitrim 2 December 1970 Patrick O'Donnell2 Fine Gael Died 3 November 1970
92 Dublin County South 2 December 1970 Kevin Boland Fianna Fáil Resigned 4 November 1970
93 Cork Mid 2 August 1972 Patrick Forde1 Fianna Fáil Died 12 July 1982

20th Dáil Elected 28 February 1973 - 7 By Elections
94 Monaghan 27 November 1973 Erskine Childers Fianna Fáil President 6 November 1973
95 Cork North East 13 November 1974 Liam Ahern Fianna Fáil Died 23 October 1974
96 Galway North East 4 March 1975 Michael Kitt1 Fianna Fáil Died 11 February 1975
97 Galway West 4 March 1975 John Geoghegan Fianna Fáil Died 11 February 1975
98 Mayo West 12 November 1975 Henry Kenny Fine Gael Died 23 October 1975
99 Donegal North East 10 June 1976 Liam Cunningham Fianna Fáil Died 20 May 1976
100 Dublin South West 10 June 1976 Noel Lemass Fianna Fáil Died 20 May 1976

21st Dáil Elected 16 June 1977 - 3 By Elections
101 Cork City 7 November 1979 Patrick Kerrigan Labour Died 17 October 1979
102 Cork North East 7 November 1979 Sean Brosnan Fianna Fáil Died 17 October 1979
103 Donegal 6 November 1980 Joseph Brennan Fianna Fáil Died 16 October 1980

An attempt was made to move a Writ on 11 February 1981 for a By Election in Tipperary North.
The vacancy was caused by the resignation of Michael O'Kennedy following his appointment as a European Commissioner.
The division to move the writ was lost 40-66, with the Government saying it was inappropriate
to interrupt the business of the Dáil with a General Election at most just over a year away.

22nd Dáil Elected 11 June 1981 - No By Elections

An attempt was made to move a Writ on 21 October 1981 for a By Election in Cavan Monaghan.
The vacancy was caused by the death of Kieran Doherty.
The division to move the writ was lost 78-80, with the Government saying the legislative programme was too heavy
to interrupt the business of the Dáil and it would be abnormal to have a By Election immediately after a General Election.

A further attempt was made to move a Writ on 26 January 1982 for a By Election in Cavan Monaghan.
The division to move the writ was lost 78-81, with the Government saying it would move the Writ after various
budgetary measures had been passed. Shortly after this the Government collapsed and a General Election was called.

23rd Dáil Elected 18 February 1982 - 2 By Elections
104 Dublin West 25 May 1982 Dick Burke Fine Gael EU Commission 4 May 1982
105 Galway East 20 July 1982 John Callanan Fianna Fáil Died 30 June 1982

24th Dáil Elected 24 November 1982 - 3 By Elections
106 Donegal South West 13 May 1983 Clement Coughlan Fianna Fáil Died 19 April 1983
107 Dublin Central 23 November 1983 George Colley Fianna Fáil Died 2 November 1983

An attempt was made to move a writ on 29 February 1984 for a By Election in Laoighis Offaly, and resumed later that day.
The question to move the writ was lost 70-79.
The writ was moved subsequently on 17 May 1984 without debate to be held on the same day as the European Elections.
108 Laoighis Offaly 14 June 1984 Bernard Cowen Fianna Fáil Died 17 May 1984

An attempt was made to move a writ on 22 October 1986 for a By Election in Donegal South West.
The vacancy was caused by the death of Cathal Coughlan.
The question to move the writ was lost 81-82, with the Government saying the legislative programme was too heavy and
a General Election was less than a year away.

25th Dáil Elected 17 February 1987 - No By Elections

A Writ was moved on 16 May 1989 for a By Election in Sligo Leitrim.
The vacancy was caused by the resignation of Ray McSharry.
A General Election was called subsequently for 15 June 1989 and so the Writ lapsed.

27th Dáil Elected 25 November 1992 - 7 By Elections
109 Dublin South Central 9 June 1994 John O'Connell Fianna Fáil Resigned 18 May 1994
110 Mayo West 9 June 1994 Padraig Flynn Fianna Fáil Resigned 18 May 1994
111 Cork North Central 10 November 1994 Gerry O'Sullivan Labour Died 18 October 1994
112 Cork South Central 10 November 1994 Pat Cox Progressive Democrats Resigned 18 October 1994
113 Wicklow 29 June 1995 Johnny Fox Independent Died 1 June 1995
114 Donegal North East 2 April 1996 Neil Blaney Independent Fianna Fáil Died 12 March 1996
115 Dublin West 2 April 1996 Brian Lenihan Snr 1 Fianna Fáil Died 12 March 1996

28th Dáil Elected 6 June 1997 - 6 By Elections
116 Limerick East 11 March 1998 James Kemmy Labour Died 17 February 1998
117 Dublin North 11 March 1998 Ray Burke Fianna Fáil Resigned 17 February 1998
118 Cork South Central 23 October 1998 Hugh Coveney Fine Gael Died 30 September 1999
119 Dublin South Central 27 October 1999 Pat Upton Labour Died 5 October 1999
120 Tipperary South 22 June 2000 Michael Ferris Labour Died 31 May 2000
121 Tipperary South 30 June 2001 Theresa Ahearn Fine Gael Died 31 May 2001

29th Dáil Elected 17 May 2002 - 2 By Elections
122 Kildare North 11 March 2005 Charlie McCreevy Fianna Fáil EU Commission 15 February 2005
123 Meath 11 March 2005 John Bruton Fine Gael EU Ambassador 15 February 2005

30th Dáil Elected 24 May 2007 - 3 By Elections with 3 Vacancies

An attempted was made by the Labour Party to move a writ on 3 February 2009 for a By Election in Dublin South. The was opposed
on grounds of cost at a time of austerity and the suitability of holding the By Election on the same day as Local and European Elections.
The motion was defeated 70-74.

Fine Gael proposed to move writs on 28 April 2009 for By Elections in Dublin South and Dublin Central, with a view to holding the
By Elections on 5 June along with Local and European Elections. When it was pointed out that a By Election has to be held between
18 and 25 days after a writ is moved, and the Government confirmed its intention to hold the By Elections on 5 June,
the motions were withdrawn.
124 Dublin South 5 June 2009 Seamus Brennan Fianna Fáil Died
125 Dublin Central 5 June 2009 Tony Gregory Independent Died

An application was made to the High Court by Sinn Fein Senator Pearse Doherty concerning the long delay in holding a By Election
in Donegal South West. The court ruled ([2010] IEHC 369) on 3 November 2010 that the delay was 'unreasonable'.
126 Donegal South West 25 November 2010 Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher FF MEP 4 November 2010

There were three vacancies at the dissolution of the 30th Dáil:

Dublin South caused by resignation of George Lee on 8 February 2010
Waterford caused by resignation of Martin Cullen on 8 March 2010
Donegal North East caused by resignation of Dr James McDaid on 2 November 2010

31st Dáil Elected 25 February 2011 - 1 By Election with 1 pending
127 Dublin West 27 October 2011 Brian Lenihan Jnr Fianna Fáil Died

There is currently one vacancy in the 31st Dáil:

Meath East caused by death of Shane McEntee on 21 December 2012

 
 
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