After a long two days and fifteen counts, Limerick City has filled four seats in the Dáil. The process was closely watched, with candidates and their supporters anxiously awaiting the outcomes of each count. The real question of this election was who was getting the fourth and final seat.
29.11.2024
Election Day
A total of 17 candidates ran for the General Election in Limerick City.
- Ballot Paper Mishap in Limerick City Sparks Controversy
The ballot papers which legally must show candidates in alphabetical order placed Sinn Féin’s Maurice Quinlivan and Dean Quinn of The Irish People Party ahead of Willie O’Dea of Fianna Fáil, Social Democrats Elisa O’Donovan, and Kieran O’Donnell of Fine Gael.
30.11.2024
First Counting Day
11:55
70% of the tally boxes have officially been opened in the Limerick City Count
Willie O’Dea (FF)was in front in Limerick City in the initial tallies, holding 20% of votes, followed by is Maurice Quinlivan (FS) and Kieran O’Donnell (FG).
What’s really positive in the national results is the huge number of young people who came out and voted for Sinn Fein. – Maurice Quinlivan
18:48
Tight Race for Limerick City’s Fourth Seat as First Count Results Are Revealed
No candidate reached the quota of 8,435.
- Willie O’Dea (FF) – 8,214 votes
- Kieran O’Donnell (FG) – 6,133 votes
- Maurice Quinlivan (SF) – 5,936 votes
Three candidates with over 2,500 votes: Dee Ryan (FF), Maria Byrne (FG), Elisa O’Donovan (SD), Conor Sheehan (LAB).
Out of Run: Dean Lillis (IND) and Michelle Hayes (IND)
19:37
Still No Candidates Elected After Second Count
- Willie O’Dea (FF) – 8,282 votes
- Kieran O’Donnell (FG) – 6,190 votes
- Maurice Quinlivan (SF) – 5,960 votes
The fourth seat remained a close call:
- Dee Ryan (FF) – 2,863 votes
- Maria Byrne (FG) – 2,835 votes
- Elisa O’Donovan (SD)- 2,841 votes
- Conor Sheehan (LAB) – 2,754
Out of Run: Melanie Cleary (IND)
I have been really humbled by the experience of this campaign but I’ve learned how actually dirty politics is (…) – Melanie Clearly on Facebook
23:36
Willie O’Dea is the First Past the Post
He surpassed the quota of 8, 435 with 8,523 votes.
Honoured to have been elected once again to the Dáil. Thank you to everyone who supported me! – Willie O’Dea on Facebook
Out of Run: Ruari Fahy (PBPS), Esther Ahern (II) and Paul Gavn (SF).
21.12.2024
Second Counting Day
10:30
Count Seven Eliminates Brian Leddin
Leddin is the only sitting TD in the Limerick City constituency to lose his seat. No other candidate has reached the quota at this time.
12:39
Count Eight Sees a Strong Push for Conor Sheehan
Limerick’s remaining three seats still unoccupied after eighth count.
- Maurice Quinlivan (SF) – 7,528 votes
- Kieran O’Donnell (FG) – 6,600 votes
This count saw a strong push in votes for Conor Sheehan (LAB) bringing him to 3,549 votes.
Out of Run: Frankie Daly (IND)
13:42
Limerick Does Not Feel Byrne
Count Nine of the 2024 General Election has eliminated Maria Byrne of Fine Gael. Willie O’Dea is still the only elected TD.
- Maurice Quinlivan (SF) – 8,242 votes
- Kieran O’Donnell (FG) – 6,782 votes
Naturally I’m disappointed but I’m so grateful to everyone who came out and voted for me. – Maria Byrne on Facebook
Race over fourth seat still contested.
- Elisa O’Donovan (SD) – 3,997 votes
- Conor Sheehan (LAB) – 3,867 votes
15:14
Kieran O’Donnell Elected to the Second Limerick City Seat
Kieran O’Donnell (FG) elected after receiving 1,973 votes from Maria Byrne, landing him at 8755 votes in the tenth count.
Maurice Quinlivan (SF) got closer to the quota with 3,265 votes.
Elisa O’Donovan (SD) and Conor Sheehan (LAB) seperated by one vote with with 4,152 and 4,151 votes.
17:07
Race Continues in Count Twelve
Count Twelve leaves Quinlivan 50 votes from the line and eliminated Beasley. Her votes will be transferred to the remaining four candidates.
18:24
Maurice Quinlivan Elected after Thirteenth Count
Sinn Féin’s Maurice Quinlivan has been elected. Quinlivan said to the Limerick Voice: “I’m really humbled and delighted. I just want to thank all the people who worked on my campaign, my family, my friends, my party members.”
This was a historical election. It was the lowest vote that Fianna Fáil and Fianna Gael ever got across the state, we can build on that.
Battle for the fourth and final seat continues:
- Conor Sheehan (LAB) – 4,631 votes
- Elisa O’Donovan (SD) – 4,550 votes
- Dee Ryan (FF) – 4,346 votes
19:20
And Then There Were Two
Dee Ryan (FF) has been eliminated after receiving the least number of votes with 4,736. Her votes will determine which candidate will claim the final seat.
- Conor Sheehan (LAB) – 4,572 Votes
Elisa O’Donovan (SD) – 4,736 Votes
20:30
Conor Sheehan Secures the Last Seat
Conor Sheehan of Labour has been elected to Limerick’s fourth and final seat after 15 counts. He came in at 1,643 votes, passing out Social Democrats’ Elisa O’Donovan by 582 who sat at 1,061 votes.
The Limerick City constituency has officially elected all four of its officials.
- Willie O’Dea of Fianna Fáil
- Kieran O’Donnell of Fine Gael
- Maurice Quinlivan of Sinn Féin
- Conor Sheehan of Labour