Kildare North by-election, 2005

Kildare North by-election, 2005
Republic of Ireland
11 March 2005
Turnout 25,524 (39.2%)
 
Nominee Catherine Murphy Áine Brady Darren Scully
Party Independent Fianna Fáil Fine Gael
First preferences 5,985 6,201 4,630
Percentage 23.6 24.5 18.3
Final count 12,256 9,818 –
 
Nominee Paddy MacNamara Kate Walsh J. J. Power
Party Labour Party Progressive Democrats Green Party
First preferences 6,087 2,006 1,547
Percentage 17.8 7.9 6.1
Final count – – –

Kildare North shown within Ireland
TD before election

Charlie McCreevy
Fianna Fáil

 Elected TD

Catherine Murphy
Independent

On 31 October 2004, the Teachta Dála (TD) for Kildare North, Charlie McCreevy, officially resigned as a member of Dáil Éireann to take up his new position as a European Commissioner. His resignation resulted in the need for a by-election. As McCreevy was a Fianna Fáil member, that party had the responsibility of deciding when the by-election should take place.

On 15 February 2005 the campaign began in earnest when it was announced that polling would take place on 11 March. Eight candidates contested the vacant seat, with victory going to the Independent candidate, Catherine Murphy.[1] Her 23.6% share of the first-preference vote was the lowest recorded at any by-election since Patrick Kinane won the Tipperary by-election in October 1947 with a 21.4% share.[2]

As a result of her election, Kildare North was the only constituency in the Republic of Ireland that did not have a TD from one of the government parties of Fianna Fáil or the Progressive Democrats. Murphy also went into the record books as County Kildare's first ever female member of Dáil Éireann.

On the same day, a by-election took place in Meath.

Result

2005 By-election: Kildare North[1]
Party Candidate % 1st Pref Count 1 Count 2Count 3Count 4Count 5
Independent Catherine Murphy 23.6 5,985 6,189 7,176 8,809 12,256
Fianna Fáil Áine Brady 24.5 6,201 6,255 7,265 8,133 9,818
Fine Gael Darren Scully 18.3 4,630 4,660 5,382 7,421  
Labour Party Paddy MacNamara 17.8 4,507 4,545 5,199    
Progressive Democrats Kate Walsh 7.9 2,006 2,023      
Green Party J. J. Power 6.1 1,547 1,621      
Independent Gerry Browne 0.9 226        
Independent Seanán Ó Coistín 0.8 211        
Electorate: 65,080   Valid: 25,313   Spoilt: 211 (0.8%)   Quota: 12,657   Turnout: 25,524 (39.2%)

    See also

    References

    1. 1 2 "Kildare North By Election: 11 March 2005". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 25 November 2008.
    2. ↑ "Tipperary By Election: 29 October 1947". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 25 November 2008.
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