1982 Dublin West by-election

1982 Dublin West by-election

25 May 1982
Turnout43,061 (61.3%)
 
Skelly
Nominee Liam Skelly Eileen Lemass Tomás Mac Giolla
Party Fine Gael Fianna Fáil Sinn Féin The Workers' Party
First preferences 16,777 17,095 6,357
Percentage 39.0% 39.7% 14.8%
Final count 21,388 19,206 –


TD before election

Richard Burke
Fine Gael

TD after election

Liam Skelly
Fine Gael

A Dáil by-election was held in the constituency of Dublin West in Ireland on Tuesday, 25 May 1982, to fill a vacancy in the 23rd Dáil. It followed the resignation of Fine Gael Teachta Dála (TD) Richard Burke after his nomination by the Fianna Fáil government as European commissioner.[1]

A Fine Gael motion to issue the writ of election to fill the vacancy was agreed by the Dáil on 4 May 1982.[2]

The by-election was won by the Fine Gael candidate Liam Skelly.[3]

The runner-up Eileen Lemass, was elected at the November 1982 general election for Dublin West.

Result

1982 Dublin West by-election[4][5][6]
PartyCandidateFPv%Count
123
Fianna Fáil Eileen Lemass 39.7 17,095 17,571 19,206
Fine Gael Liam Skelly 39.0 16,777 17,736 21,388
Sinn Féin The Workers' Party Tomás Mac Giolla 14.8 6,357 7,446  
Independent John O'Halloran 1.8 785    
Labour Brendan O'Sullivan 1.6 703    
Democratic Socialist Michael Conaghan 1.6 667    
Independent Matt Merrigan 0.8 334    
Independent John Condron 0.5 233    
Independent Séamus O'Daly 0.2 68    
Independent Jim Tallon 0.1 42    
Electorate: 70,203   Valid: 43,061   Quota: 21,531   Turnout: 61.3%  

References

  1. ↑ "Resignation of Member". Dáil Debates. 333 (5). Houses of the Oireachtas. 30 March 1982. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  2. ↑ "Issue of Writ: Dublin West By-Election". Dáil Debates. 334 (1). Houses of the Oireachtas. 4 May 1982.
  3. ↑ "Return to Writ: Dublin West - Introduction of New Member". Dáil Debates. 335 (3). Houses of the Oireachtas. 1 June 1982. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
  4. ↑ "By-election 1982: Dublin West". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 13 September 2025. Retrieved 4 March 2009.
  5. ↑ "24th Dáil November 1982 general election results" (PDF). Houses of the Oireachtas. August 1983. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  6. ↑ "Dublin West: 1982 by-election". Ireland Election. Retrieved 24 February 2026.