1976 Dublin South-West by-election

1976 Dublin South-West by-election

10 June 1976
Turnout(53.7%)
 
Mitchell
Nominee Brendan Halligan Eileen Lemass Jim Mitchell
Party Labour Fianna Fáil Fine Gael
First preferences 6,870 9,687 5,169
Percentage 27.5% 38.8% 20.7%
Final count 12,099 11,462

TD before election

Noel Lemass
Fianna Fáil

Elected TD

Brendan Halligan
Labour

A by-election was held in the Dáil constituency of Dublin South-West in Ireland on Thursday, 10 June 1976. It followed the death of Fianna Fáil TD Noel Lemass on 13 April 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 Fianna Fáil candidate was Eileen Lemass, widow of the deceased TD. The by-election was won by Labour candidate Brendan Halligan.[3]

It was held on the same day as the 1976 Donegal North-East by-election. Halligan was not subsequently re-elected to the Dáil.

Result

1976 Dublin South-West by-election[4][5][6]
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3 4 5 6
Fianna Fáil Eileen Lemass 38.8 9,687 9,694 9,722 10,108 10,578 11,462
Labour Brendan Halligan 27.5 6,870 6,886 6,924 7,175 7,855 12,099
Fine Gael Jim Mitchell 20.7 5,169 5,174 5,196 5,345 5,612  
Sinn Féin Tomás Mac Giolla 6.7 1,679 1,702 1,815 2,158    
Aontacht Éireann Kevin Boland 4.8 1,186 1,199 1,292      
Irish Republican Socialist Íte Ní Chionnaith 1.2 287 332        
Marxist–Leninist Bláthnaid Ní Chinnéide 0.5 113          
Electorate: 46,585   Valid: 24,991   Quota: 12,496   Turnout: 53.7%  

References

  1. ^ "Death of Member: Expression of Sympathy". Dáil Debates. 290 (1). Houses of the Oireachtas. 27 April 1976.
  2. ^ "Issue of Writ: Dublin South-West 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. ^ "Dublin South-West: 1976 by-election Results, Counts, Stats and Analysis". Ireland Election. Retrieved 28 February 2026.