2026 Dublin Central by-election
May 2026
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Location of Dublin Central within County Dublin | |||
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A by-election is due to be held in the Dáil constituency of Dublin Central in Ireland in 2026, to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Paschal Donohoe on 21 November 2025.[1][2] Under the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2011, the writ for the by-election must be issued within six months of the vacancy.[3] In February 2026, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the by-election would be held in May, together with the 2026 Galway West by-election.[4]
Constituency profile
The Dáil constituency of Dublin Central elects four TDs. Dublin Central is regarded as one of the most social and ethnically diverse constituencies in Ireland.[5] In 2020, the constituency's population was 65.7% Irish, versus 87% for the country as a whole.[6] The constituency consists of largely traditional working class areas such as East Wall, North Strand, Summerhill, Ballybough, Sheriff Street and Cabra with more suburban middle class Stoneybatter, Phibsborough, Glasnevin and Lower Drumcondra on the northern fringes of the constituency. It contains O'Connell Street, the Four Courts and the IFSC. Dublin Central was the location of the 2023 Dublin riot, and anti-immigration candidates have a presence here.[7] At the 2024 general election, Dublin Central elected one Sinn Féin, one Social Democrat, one Fine Gael and one Labour TD.[8]
Candidates
Candidate selection
| Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||
| Sinn Féin | Janice Boylan | |||
| Social Democrats | Daniel Ennis | |||
| Green | Janet Horner | |||
| Independent | Gerry Hutch | |||
| PBP–Solidarity | Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin | |||
| Labour | Ruth O'Dea | |||
| Aontú | Ian Noel Smyth | |||
| Independent | Malachy Steenson | |||
On 19 November 2025, independent Dublin City councillor Malachy Steenson confirmed his intention to stand.[9] Alleged crime boss Gerry Hutch confirmed his intention to stand on 23 November 2025.[10] Musician and activist Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin was announced as the candidate for People Before Profit on 10 December 2025.[11] On 16 December 2025, councillor Daniel Ennis was selected as the Social Democrats candidate.[12][13]
Aontú announced Ian Noel Smyth as their candidate on 15 January 2026.[14] On 4 February 2026, the Green Party announced that the party's Cathaoirleach, Dublin City Councillor Janet Horner would be the party's candidate in the by-election.[15] On 25 February, Sinn Féin councillor Janice Boylan, who was Mary Lou McDonald's running mate in Dublin Central at the 2024 general election, was chosen as the party's candidate at a selection convention.[16] On 2 March 2026, Ruth O'Dea was selected as the Labour Party candidate.[17]
Potential
The Sunday Times reported on 31 January 2026 that Sinn Féin was likely to ratify Gillian Sherratt, who led a high-profile campaign against Children's Health Ireland after her son Harvey Morrison died while awaiting surgery for scoliosis, however she was beaten in the selection process by councillor Janice Boylan.[18][19]
Fianna Fáil Senator Mary Fitzpatrick, who has contested five general elections in Dublin Central, confirmed that she would not seek the party's nomination for the by-election.[20]
Fine Gael will hold a selection convention on 23 March 2026.[21] Councillor Ray McAdam, the current Lord Mayor of Dublin, has confirmed his intention to seek the party's nomination.[22]
References
- ^ Murphy, David (18 November 2025). "Paschal Donohoe resigns as Minister for Finance for role at World Bank". RTÉ News.
- ^ Leahy, Pat (18 November 2025). "Paschal Donohoe to resign from Government and take up position at World Bank". The Irish Times.
- ^ Electoral (Amendment) Act 2011, s. 2 (No. 14 of 2011, s. 2). Enacted on 25 July 2011. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 29 April 2021.
- ^ McGrath, Pat (5 February 2026). "Galway and Dublin by-elections in May - Taoiseach" – via www.rte.ie.
- ^ "Dublin Central". RTÉ News. 28 February 2011. Archived from the original on 28 February 2011.
- ^ "Dáil Éireann Constituency Profile: Dublin Central" (PDF). Oireachtas Library and Research Service. January 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ Specia, Megan (29 November 2024). "A Dublin Neighborhood at the Sharp End of Ireland's Election Issues". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ "General Election 2024 Results – Dublin Central". RTÉ News. December 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ Horgan-Jones, Jack (19 November 2025). "Who will run for Paschal Donohoe's vacant Dáil seat in the Dublin Central byelection?". The Irish Times.
- ^ "Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch '100pc' committed to contesting Dublin Central by-election". Irish Independent. 23 November 2025.
- ^ Finnerty, Mike (10 December 2025). "People Before Profit to run candidate in Dublin Central by-election". Dublin People.
- ^ "Councillor Daniel Ennis selected as Social Democrats candidate for Dublin Central by-election". Social Democrats. 16 December 2025.
- ^ Finnerty, Mike (17 December 2025). "Soc Dems pick Ennis as Dublin Central by-election candidate". Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ^ "Aontú Selects Ian Noel Smyth to Contest By-Election in Dublin Central". aontu.ie. 15 January 2026. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
- ^ "Green Party Chairperson Janet Horner selected to contest Dublin Central By-Election | Green Party". greenparty.ie.
- ^ Coyne, Ellen (25 February 2026). "Sinn Féin councillor Janice Boylan selected to contest Dublin Central byelection". The Irish Times.
- ^ "Labour selects Ruth O'Dea to fight for Dublin Central". The Labour Party. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Sinn Fein to nominate mother of Harvey Morrison". Sunday Times. 1 February 2026.
- ^ "Mother of Harvey Morrison Sherratt could be selected by Sinn Féin for byelection run". The Irish Times. 1 February 2026.
- ^ Hurley, Sandra (21 February 2026). "Dublin Central set for heated, high-stakes by-election" – via www.rte.ie.
- ^ "Nominations open for Fine Gael candidate for Dublin Central bye-election". Fine Gael. 23 February 2026.
- ^ "Dublin lord mayor seeks Fine Gael nod for to replace Paschal Donohoe in by-election". Irish Examiner. 26 February 2026.