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Counting under way in Ireland by-elections

Gabija GataveckaiteDublin correspondent, BBC News NI
News imagePA Media A woman in a cream jumper, with brown hair, looks at a white ballot paper , there is a woman with dark hair and a dark jumper beside her.PA Media
Votes were being sorted as counting began in Dublin Central on Saturday morning

Counting is under way at two by-elections in the Republic to elect two new TDs (Irish MPs) to the Irish parliament.

Voters had their say at the ballot boxes on Friday in Dublin Central and Galway West constituencies.

The by-election is taking place in Dublin Central to fill a seat left vacant by Fine Gael TD and former Irish finance minister Paschal Donohoe who took up a role with the World Bank.

Galway West is electing a new TD as their local TD Catherine Connolly was elected as president.

Traditionally, governing parties are disadvantaged in by-elections as voters use by- elections to punish the government.

In Dublin Central, Social Democrat and Sinn Féin candidates are viewed as front runners.

News imagePA Media Two hands are visible flicking through a pile of ballot papers on a wooden table. PA Media
All of the ballot boxes have been tallied in Dublin Central

Social Democrats are expected to top the poll in Dublin Central, with candidate Daniel Ennis telling reporters at the count centre at the RDS he was "delighted" that "hard work has paid off".

The count in Galway West is much tighter and counts are expected to come right down to the wire across Saturday and Sunday.

Labour councillor Helen Ogbu is also a contender for the seat, coming in third with 11.6% of first preference votes according to a tally of 100% open boxes.

Labour sources are hoping Ogbu is elected on transfers from left-leaning parties, however, this is based on a high vote transfer rate from the other parties.

Independent Ireland candidate Noel Thomas may top the poll on the first count but he is neck and neck with Fine Gael's Sean Kyne. Fine Gael sources are expecting Kyne to be elected as they hope transfer votes will benefit him more than Thomas.

Speaking in Galway, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said it was "not our day" in Galway West.

She said there was "no question on the leadership" and that she does not feel under pressure as counting continues in two by-elections.

"I am the leader of Sinn Féin, I lead us on days when we're on a winning streak, I lead us on the days when we're not lifting the cup," she said.

Fianna Fáil has not had a good day in either of the by-elections.

Dublin Central was once former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's constituency but now neither candidate in Dublin or Galway is in the running for a seat.