1979 Cork City by-election

1979 Cork City by-election

7 November 1979
Turnout(55.1%)
 
Burke
Dennehy
O'Sullivan
Nominee Liam Burke John Dennehy Toddy O'Sullivan
Party Fine Gael Fianna Fáil Labour
First preferences 12,832 13,890 8,742
Percentage 33.2% 35.9% 22.6%
Final count 19,524 16,210

TD before election

Patrick Kerrigan
Labour

Elected TD

Liam Burke
Fine Gael

A by-election was held in the Dáil constituency of Cork City in Ireland on Wednesday, 7 November 1979. It followed the death of Labour TD Patrick Kerrigan on 4 July 1979.[1]

The writ of election was moved by Labour TD Barry Desmond on 17 October 1979 and was agreed by the Dáil.[2]

The by-election was won by Fine Gael candidate Liam Burke.[3] It was held on the same day as the 1979 Cork North-East by-election.

Both by-elections were won by Fine Gael candidates. The victory of Fine Gael in both by-elections contributed to the decision of Jack Lynch to step down as leader of Fianna Fáil and Taoiseach the following month.[4]

Result

1979 Cork City by-election[5][6][7]
Party Candidate FPv% Count
1 2 3
Fianna Fáil John Dennehy 35.9 13,890 14,269 16,210
Fine Gael Liam Burke 33.2 12,832 13,411 19,524
Labour Toddy O'Sullivan 22.6 8,742 10,444  
Sinn Féin The Workers' Party Ted Tynan 8.3 3,193    
Electorate: 70,164   Valid: 38,657   Quota: 19,329   Turnout: 55.1%  

References

  1. ^ "Death of Member: Expression of Sympathy". Dáil Debates. 315 (12). Houses of the Oireachtas. 10 July 1979.
  2. ^ "Issue of Writ: Cork City By-Election". Dáil Debates. 316 (1). Houses of the Oireachtas. 17 October 1979.
  3. ^ "Returns to Writs: North-East Cork and Cork City. - Introduction of New Members". Dáil Debates. 316 (9). Houses of the Oireachtas. 13 November 1979.
  4. ^ Fanning, Ronan (February 2010). "Lynch, John Mary ('Jack')". Dictionary of Irish Biography. doi:10.3318/dib.004947.v1.
  5. ^ Gallagher, Michael (2009). Irish Elections 1948–77: Results and Analysis Sources for the Study of Irish Politics 2. Routledge. ISBN 9781138973343.
  6. ^ "22nd Dáil 1981 general election results" (PDF). Houses of the Oireachtas. September 1981. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  7. ^ "Cork City: 1979 by-election Results, Counts, Stats and Analysis". Ireland Election. Retrieved 27 February 2026.