1976 Donegal North-East by-election

1976 Donegal North-East by-election

10 June 1976
Turnout(75.7%)
 
Keaveney
Loughrey
Conaghan
Nominee Paddy Keaveney[a] Joachim Loughrey Hugh Conaghan
Party Ind. Fianna Fáil Fine Gael Fianna Fáil
First preferences 9,986 10,188 9,865
Percentage 31.1% 31.8% 30.7%
Final count 13,579 11,957


TD before election

Liam Cunningham
Fianna Fáil

Elected TD

Paddy Keaveney[a]
Independent Fianna Fáil

A by-election was held in the Dáil constituency of Donegal North-East in Ireland on Thursday, 10 June 1976. It followed the death of Fianna Fáil TD Liam Cunningham on 29 February 1976.[1]

The writ of election was moved by Fianna Fáil TD Patrick Lalor on 20 May 1976 and was agreed by the Dáil.[2]

The by-election was won by Independent Fianna Fáil candidate Paddy Keaveney.[3]

It was held on the same day as the 1976 Dublin South-West by-election. Keaveney was not subsequently re-elected to the Dáil.

Result

1976 Donegal North-East by-election[4][5][6]
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3
Fine Gael Joachim Loughrey 31.8 10,188 10,777 11,957
Independent Fianna Fáil Paddy Keaveney[a] 31.1 9,986 10,525 13,579
Fianna Fáil Hugh Conaghan 30.7 9,865 10,323  
Independent Tony Gill 6.4 2,053    
Electorate: 42,390   Valid: 32,092   Quota: 16,047   Turnout: 75.7%  

References

  1. ^ "Death of Member: Expression of Sympathy". Dáil Debates. 288 (7). Houses of the Oireachtas. 2 March 1976.
  2. ^ "Issue of Writ: North-East Donegal By-Election". Dáil Debates. 290 (12). Houses of the Oireachtas. 20 May 1976.
  3. ^ "Return to Writs: North-East Donegal and Dublin South-West. - Introduction of New Members". Dáil Debates. 291 (7). Houses of the Oireachtas. 15 June 1976.
  4. ^ Gallagher, Michael (2009). Irish Elections 1948–77: Results and Analysis Sources for the Study of Irish Politics 2. Routledge. ISBN 9781138973343.
  5. ^ "21st Dáil 1977 general election results" (PDF). Houses of the Oireachtas. February 1978. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  6. ^ "Donegal North-East: 1976 by-election Results, Counts, Stats and Analysis". Ireland Election. Retrieved 28 February 2026.

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Keaveney was a member of Independent Fianna Fáil, an unregistered political party, and appeared on the ballot as a non-party independent.