1959 Meath by-election

1959 Meath by-election

22 July 1959
Turnout25,621 (68.0%)
 
Johnston
Farrelly
Nominee Henry Johnston James Tully Denis Farrelly
Party Fianna Fáil Labour Fine Gael
First preferences 11,063 6,918 5,751
Percentage 43.2% 27.0% 22.5%
Final count 12,475 10,926 –

TD before election

James Griffin
Fianna Fáil

TD after election

Henry Johnston
Fianna Fáil

A Dáil by-election was held in the constituency of Meath in Ireland on Wednesday, 22 July 1959, to fill a vacancy in the 16th Dáil. It followed the death of Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) James Griffin on 22 March 1959.[1]

The writ of election to fill the vacancy was agreed by the Dáil on 30 June 1959.[2]

The by-election was won by the Fianna Fáil candidate Henry Johnston.[3]

Two other by-elections were held on the same day, in Clare and Dublin South-West.

Johnston lost his seat at the 1961 general election, and was never subsequently re-elected to the Dáil.

Result

1959 Meath by-election[4][5][6]
PartyCandidateFPv%Count
123
Fianna Fáil Henry Johnston 43.2 11,063 11,338 12,475
Labour James Tully 27.0 6,918 7,593 10,926
Fine Gael Denis Farrelly 22.5 5,751 6,100  
Sinn Féin Leo Collins 7.4 1,889    
Electorate: 37,686   Valid: 25,621   Quota: 12,811   Turnout: 68.0%  

References

  1. ↑ "Bás Teachtaí: Rún Cómhbhróin". Dáil Debates (in Irish). 174 (1). Houses of the Oireachtas. 8 April 1959.
  2. ↑ "Issue of Writs: Dublin South (West), Meath and Clare By-Elections". Dáil Debates. 176 (2). Houses of the Oireachtas. 30 June 1959.
  3. ↑ "Returns to Writs: Introduction of New Members". Dáil Debates. 177 (1). Houses of the Oireachtas. 21 October 1959.
  4. ↑ "By-election 1959: Meath". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 6 February 2025. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
  5. ↑ Gallagher, Michael (2009). Irish Elections 1948–77: Results and Analysis Sources for the Study of Irish Politics 2. Routledge. ISBN 9781138973343.
  6. ↑ "Meath: 1959 by-election". Ireland Election. Retrieved 4 May 2026.