Nominations close for upcoming byelections

Fri, 01 May, 2026 - 13:56

By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

Nominations have closed for the upcoming byelections in Dublin and Galway, with 31 candidates standing in the two constituencies.

The deadline for nominations passed at noon on Friday for the ballot, which will take place on May 22nd.

In Dublin Central, 14 people will contest the by-election to fill the vacancy created when former Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe resigned to take up a position at the World Bank.

In Galway West, 17 candidates are standing to take the seat held by Catherine Connolly until her election as president.

The deadline for registering to vote in the by-election is May 5th.

The candidates in Dublin Central are: Ray McAdam (Fine Gael), Gerard Hutch (Independent), Daniel Ennis (Social Democrats), Malachy Steenson (Independent), Mannix Flynn (Independent), Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin (People Before Profit), Ruth O’Dea (The Labour Party), Tony Corrigan (Independent), Janet Horner (Green Party), Noel Smyth (Aontú), Janice Boylan (Sinn Féin), John O’Leary (Independent), John Stephens (Fianna Fáil), Colm Joseph Flood (Independent).

The candidates in Galway West are: Michael Ryan (Independent), Thomas Welby (Independent), Cillian Keane (Fianna Fáil), Sheila Garrity (Independent), Noel Thomas (Independent Ireland), Niall Murphy (Green Party), John O’Leary (Independent), Patrick Feeney (Independent), Denman Rooke (People Before Profit – Solidarity), Helen Ogbu (The Labour Party), Mark Lohan (Sinn Féin), Mike Cubbard (Non Party), Sean Kyne (Fine Gael), Mide Nic Fhionnlaoich (Social Democrats), AJ Cahill (The Irish People), Orla Nugent (Aontú), Neill Bairead (Independent).