1998 Dublin North by-election

By-election to the 28th Dáil February 2022 February 2022 1998 Dublin North by-election Ireland by-election no 1997 Irish general election 1997 11 March 1998 2002 Irish general election 2002 33,046 (50.2%) First preferences Percentage Final count Ryan Seán Ryan Labour Party (Ireland) 11,012 33.3% 16,896 Kennedy Michael Kennedy Fianna Fáil 10,334 31.3% 13,633 Jenkinson Philip Jenkinson Fine Gael 3,185 9.6% – Dublin North Dáil Éireann constituency.png 150px Dublin North shown within County Dublin TD Ray Burke Fianna Fáil TD after election Seán Ryan Labour Party (Ireland) A Dáil by-election was held in the constituency of Dublin North in Ireland on Wednesday, 11 March 1998, to fill a vacancy in the 28th Dáil. It followed the resignation of Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) Ray Burke on 7 October 1997. The by-election was won by the Labour candidate Senator Seán Ryan. 19 candidates contested the by-election, including 9 independents. The winner was declared after 14 counts, with eight candidates getting less than 1% of the first preference vote. On the same day, a by-election took place in Limerick East; both were the final occasions in which Democratic Left contested by-elections. Both by-elections were won by Labour candidates. Background Ray Burke, a Fianna Fáíl TD for Dublin North, was appointed as Minister for Foreign Affairs following the 1997 general election; however, allegations resurfaced that Burke had received IR£80,000 from a property developer.19 April 2002 Introduction to second Interim Report http://www.flood-tribunal.ie/images/Report.pdf dead https://web.archive.org/web/20041224014203/http://www.flood-tribunal.ie/images/Report.pdf 24 December 2004 15 December 2004 Flood Tribunal 2–3 While denying the allegations, Burke resigned both as a minister and as a TD on 7 October 1997.Resignation of Member Dáil Debates 7 October 1997 481 1 https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1997-10-07/2/Cullen Kevin 8 October 1997 In Belfast, talks get under way Irish aide resigns on unrelated issue https://www.proquest.com/docview/403906076 9 July 2025 Boston Globe 403906076 A 1998 article in the Irish Independent noted that Burke's brother had died a week before his resignation, describing it as a "time of deep-seated grief" for him.12 June 1998 Burke at bay https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/burke-at-bay/26183682.html 5 January 2026 Irish Independent en The writ of election was moved on 17 February 1998.Issue of Writ: Dublin North By-election Dáil Debates 17 February 1998 487 3 https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1998-02-17/14/20 February 1998 Notice of Dáil Election Constituency of Dublin North https://www.newspapers.com/article/irish-independent-notice-of-dil-electio/176275856/ 9 July 2025 Irish Independent 26 Candidate selection Democratic Left This by-election was the first and only time Democratic Left ran a candidate in this constituency.O'Regan Michael 25 January 1999 Labour and DL formally merge at the Rotunda https://www.irishtimes.com/news/labour-and-dl-formally-merge-at-the-rotunda-1.1257660 5 January 2026 The Irish Times en Their candidate, language school co-owner Joe Holohan, had contested the constituency at the 1981 general election for the Labour Party, but later became a founding member of Democratic Left.O'Regan Michael 23 February 1998 Voters are apathetic in fiefdom that burke long held for FF as the campaign intensifies, candidates in the Dublin North by-election are finding it difficult to interest voters, writes Michael O'Regan https://www.proquest.com/docview/310352774 7 July 2025 The Irish Times 310352774 Fianna Fáil Initial reports suggested that Fianna Fáil were struggling to find a candidate to defend the seat. Candidates who declined to seek the nomination included Graham Turley, the widower of murdered crime reporter Veronica Guerin,1997-10-26 No thanks https://www.newspapers.com/article/sunday-independent-dublin-ed-no-thank/176273337/ 2025-07-09 Sunday Independent (Dublin ed.) 3 and former Dublin GAA goalkeeper John O'Leary.Moran John 13 December 1997 O'Leary joins Carr as Dublin selector https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/o-leary-joins-carr-as-dublin-selector-1.137149 9 July 2025 The Irish Times en Other speculated candidates included Eimear Mulhearn, daughter of former Taoiseach Charles Haughey,16 November 1997 Inside Track https://www.newspapers.com/article/sunday-independent-dublin-ed-inside-t/176274126/ 9 July 2025 Sunday Independent (Dublin ed.) 17 and Amy Ahern, niece of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. On 15 December 1997, county councillor Michael Kennedy won the party's nomination, defeating nurse Catherine Clarke and barrister Eoin Martin.15 December 1997 Fingal councillor to stand for FF in poll https://www.irishtimes.com/news/fingal-councillor-to-stand-for-ff-in-poll-1.137438 9 July 2025 The Irish Times en Fine Gael Five candidates sought the Fine Gael nomination; Lusk-based county councillor Philip Jenkinson, vice chairman of Young Fine Gael Sean Dolphin, businessman Michael Brannigan, Niall Atkins and Steve McCullough.O'Connor Kevin 16 November 1997 Candidate selection https://www.newspapers.com/article/sunday-independent-dublin-ed-candidat/176273745/ 9 July 2025 Sunday Independent (Dublin ed.) 3McKenna Gene 10 December 1997 Blow to FF by-election chances as ex-Dubs star rules out running https://www.newspapers.com/article/irish-independent-blow-to-ff-by-election/176274577/ 9 July 2025 Irish Independent 8 On 11 December, the party announced Jenkinson as their selected candidate for the by-election.12 December 1997 FG selects by-election candidate https://www.irishtimes.com/news/fg-selects-by-election-candidate-1.136393 9 July 2025 The Irish Times en Green Party The Green Party, who had held their seat in this constituency narrowly at the last general election, nominated healthcare worker Paul Martin from Portrane. Labour Party The Labour Party nominated Senator Seán Ryan, a former TD for the constituency who had lost his seat at the 1997 general election. After losing his seat, Ryan ran for a seat in the Seanad and was elected.O'Regan Michael Walsh Jimmy 8 August 1997 Hanafin returns to the Seanad with hopes to overturn divorce decision https://www.irishtimes.com/news/hanafin-returns-to-the-seanad-with-hopes-to-overturn-divorce-decision-1.94947 5 January 2026 The Irish Times en Progressive Democrats Finian Fallon, who unsuccessfully contested the constituency at the 1997 general election for the Progressive Democrats, was the party's nominee at this election. The son of murdered garda Richard Fallon,Dowling Brian 9 March 1998 Party leaders staking all on two-horse race https://www.newspapers.com/article/irish-independent-party-leaders-staking/176279096/ 9 July 2025 Irish Independent 5 Fallon rejected calls for a voting pact between the Progressive Democrats and Fianna Fáil. His director for the election was former Fianna Fáil minister Martin O'Donoghue.O'Regan Michael 13 March 1998 Ryan win puts the smile back on Quinn's face as FF sweats out the count https://www.proquest.com/docview/310399316 9 July 2025 The Irish Times 310399316 Sinn Féin Paul Donnelly contested this election for Sinn Féin. Socialist Party On 30 October 1997, the Socialist Party selected Clare Daly to be their candidate in the by-election. 29-year-old Daly had unsuccessfully contested the constituency at the 1997 general election, receiving 3000 votes. She had previously been president of Dublin City University Students' Union and a coordinator in the anti-water charge movement in Dublin North.30 October 1997 Socialist Party selects candidate https://www.irishtimes.com/news/socialist-party-selects-candidate-1.120842 9 July 2025 The Irish Times en Independents and others Gertie Shields, founder of Mothers Against Drink Driving and independent member of Balbriggan Town Commission, declared that she would contest the election in December 1997.6 December 1997 MADD founder may seek election https://www.newspapers.com/article/irish-independent-madd-founder-may-seek/176274314/ 9 July 2025 Irish Independent 6 Single-issue candidate Elaine Rooney from Portrane ran as an independent against the Eastern Health Board's planned special care unit at St. Ita's Hospital, while another, Rena Condrot Ruigrok, ran in support of the closure of Balleally dump.Dillon Willie 4 March 1998 Voters raging on the roads or down in the dumps https://www.newspapers.com/article/irish-independent-voters-raging-on-the-r/176277567/ 9 July 2025 Irish Independent 6 Other candidates from inside the constituency included Angela Keaveney from Portmarnock for the Christian Solidarity Party, independent Ciaran Goulding from Lusk, and independent Alan Nagle from Portmarnock.3 March 1998 19 by-election runners for the one precious seat https://www.newspapers.com/article/irish-independent-19-by-election-runners/176277081/ 9 July 2025 Irish Independent 31 A number of other candidates from outside the constituency's boundaries sought election; Noel O'Neill from Drogheda ran for the Natural Law Party, while independents Benny Cooney from Athlone, Peter Farrelly from Drogheda, independent Unionist John McDonald from Newtownabbey, Northern IrelandMcManus John 8 March 1998 Unionist stands in Dublin poll https://www.proquest.com/docview/320624916 9 July 2025 Sunday Times 5 320624916 and perennial candidate Jim Tallon from Arklow also ran. Campaign Early reports suggested that Fianna Fáil anticipated a difficult election campaign, with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern admitting the party faced an "uphill battle" to keep the Dublin North seat.Dowling Brian McKenna Gene 12 February 1998 Coalition fears double by-election defeat looming https://www.newspapers.com/article/irish-independent-coalition-fears-double/188228023/ 5 January 2026 Irish Independent 1 Combined with the by-election in Limerick East held on the same day, this put the government at risk of a one-seat majority if they lost both, a particular concern given the government relied on three independent TDs supporting them.Brennock Mark 17 February 1998 Date for elections will be set today https://www.irishtimes.com/news/date-for-elections-will-be-set-today-1.136390 9 July 2025 The Irish Times en During the campaign, Socialist Party candidate Clare Daly applied for an injunction withdrawing the Fingal Independent newspaper from sale, alleging that the paper had published claims to damage her chances of being elected. The paper had published a claim that Daly called for her transfers to be given to Seán Ryan, a statement Daly denied making.Maddock John 7 March 1998 Candidate takes battle for by-election to court https://www.newspapers.com/article/irish-independent-candidate-takes-battle/176276939/ 9 July 2025 Irish Independent 8 A major issue that impacted the campaign was the dump at Balleally, due to be closed the previous November until the local council vowed instead to expand it. In November 1997, 400 people had marched through Dublin city calling for the dump in Balleally to be closed, and threatened to run their own independent candidate in the election,McDonald Frank 20 November 1997 Protest at plans to extend dump https://www.irishtimes.com/news/protest-at-plans-to-extend-dump-1.128404 9 July 2025 The Irish Times en later opting to run Rena Condrot Ruigrok as this candidate. Other campaign issues included traffic issues around Swords and Dublin Airport, a trade dispute involving Ryanair employees, school funding in the constituency, and a threatened abolition of duty-free sales at Dublin Airport placing 300 Aer Rianta employees at risk of redundancy. Predictions and polls The Labour Party candidate Seán Ryan was initially viewed as the favourite, particularly due to name recognition, with bookmaker Paddy Power giving odds on 2 March of 1/2 for Ryan, and 11/8 for Michael Kennedy of Fianna Fáil. By 9 March, these odds had shifted to 1/5 for Ryan, 11/4 for Kennedy and 40/1 for Jenkinson.Dowling Brian 9 March 1998 Labour poll surge puts FF majority in the balance https://www.newspapers.com/article/irish-independent-labour-poll-surge-puts/176279325/ 9 July 2025 Irish Independent 1 Two days prior to the election, Brian Dowling of the Irish Independent predicted Ryan to win the seat, though for it to go "down to the wire". Last date of pollingPolling firm / CommissionerSample sizeKennedy (FF)Ryan (Lab)Jenkinson (FG)Daly (SP)Martin (GP)Donnelly (SF)Goulding (Ind)Shields (Ind)Rooney (Ind)Fallon (PD)UndecidedO/IMarch 1988Sunday Independent/IMS1998-03-08 Only Labour Nua can smile https://www.newspapers.com/article/sunday-independent-dublin-ed-only-lab/176278039/ 2025-07-09 Sunday Independent (Dublin ed.) 41998-03-08 Double debacle looms for Government https://www.newspapers.com/article/sunday-independent-dublin-ed-double-d/176278812/ 2025-07-09 Sunday Independent (Dublin ed.) 540029%31%17%7%6%5%2%0.75%0.75%0.75%2%Keaveney and Farrelly with 0.5%, Tallon, Nagle, Cooney and Holohan with 0.25%, Condrot, McDonald and O'Neill with 0%.26 February 1988MRC1998-03-02 Ahern targets transfers in 'battle of undecideds' https://www.newspapers.com/article/irish-independent-ahern-targets-transfer/176276220/ 2025-07-09 Irish Independent 3Unknown21%16%6%5%46%6%6% "others" lower-alpha Result Ryan topped the poll on the first count and was elected on the fourteenth count, following the redistribution of Philip Jenkinson's votes. The Labour Party won both by-elections held on this day.Arnold Bruce 13 March 1998 Quinn gets to relish his 'payback' time https://www.newspapers.com/article/irish-independent-quinn-gets-to-relish-h/176279530/ 9 July 2025 Irish Independent 14Returns to Writs: Dublin North and Limerick East - Introduction of New Members Dáil Debates 7 October 1997 488 7 https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1998-03-24/10/ 24 May 2018 1 August 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20180524005418/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1998-03-24/10/ live 1998 Dublin North by-election29th Dáil General Election May, 2002 Election Results and Transfer of Votes https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/electoralProcess/electionResults/dail/2002/2002-07-21_dail-general-election-may-2002-results-and-transfer-of-votes_en.pdf#page=75 Bye-elections to Twenty-Eighth Dáil Government of Ireland 75 2003 1 September 2020 1 August 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20200901014310/https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/electoralProcess/electionResults/dail/2002/2002-07-21_dail-general-election-may-2002-results-and-transfer-of-votes_en.pdf#page=75 live Took Christopher Donnelly Seán By Election: 11 March 1998 Dublin North https://electionsireland.org/result.cfm?election=1997B&cons=96 ElectionsIreland.orgDublin North: 1998 by-election Ireland Election http://irelandelection.com/election.php?elecid=49&electype=2&constitid=16 23 April 2026 14 Seán Ryan Labour Party (Ireland) 33.3 11,012 11,012 11,017 11,029 11,057 11,216 11,397 11,475 11,555 11,717 12,049 12,832 14,320 16,896 Michael Kennedy Fianna Fáil 31.3 10,334 10,335 10,336 10,352 10,365 10,421 10,514 10,744 10,936 11,079 11,236 11,983 12,698 13,633 Philip Jenkinson Fine Gael 9.6 3,185 3,186 3,187 3,190 3,215 3,258 3,296 3,385 3,449 3,557 3,715 3,982 4,395   Clare Daly Socialist Party (Ireland) 8.2 2,692 2,692 2,694 2,702 2,705 2,746 2,777 2,809 2,848 2,948 3,041 3,553     Paul Martin Green Party (Ireland) 3.3 1,092 1,092 1,093 1,103 1,108 1,151 1,185 1,236 1,289 1,414 1,511       Paul Donnelly Sinn Féin 3.3 1,088 1,088 1,088 1,092 1,093 1,108 1,115 1,119 1,150 1,188 1,209       Rena Condrot Ruigrok Independent politician (Ireland) 2.4 780 781 781 786 790 798 809 821 850 929         Ciaran Goulding Independent politician (Ireland) 2.1 682 682 683 690 698 714 740 763 817           Angela Keaveney Christian Solidarity Party 1.7 565 565 566 573 576 582 598 616             Finian Fallon Progressive Democrats 1.6 533 533 533 540 550 557 565               Gertie Shields Independent politician (Ireland) 1.4 452 458 460 464 467 476                 Joe Holohan Democratic Left (Ireland) 0.7 225 225 225 229 232                   Elaine Rooney Independent politician (Ireland) 0.5 176 177 178 179 183                   John McDonald Independent politician (Ireland) 0.3 107 107 107 112                     Alan Nagle Independent politician (Ireland) 0.1 44 44 45                       Peter Farrelly Independent politician (Ireland) 0.1 34 34 34                       Benny Cooney Independent politician (Ireland) 0.1 18 18 18                       Noel O'Neill Natural Law Party 0.1 15 16                         Jim Tallon Independent politician (Ireland) 0.1 12                           14 65,891 33,046 16,524 50.2% Reactions The election was seen as a blow for Fianna Fáil and a disappointing one for Fine Gael, the Green Party and Democratic Left,O'Regan Michael 13 March 1998 Defeat not due to swing away from party, says FF director of elections https://www.proquest.com/docview/310399250 9 July 2025 Irish Times 310399250 though a positive election for the Socialist Party and Sinn Féin.Coghlan Denis 13 March 1998 Ahern comes home to face the music https://www.proquest.com/docview/310290461 9 July 2025 Irish Times 310290461 Ryan described the result as "vindication of my work over the years in the constituency". Fianna Fáil's director for the by-election, Dermot Ahern (no relation to partie leader Bertie),Hennessy Mark 11 April 2007 The Namesake https://www.politico.eu/article/the-namesake/ 5 January 2026 POLITICO attributed the party's defeat to several factors including Fianna Fáil's status as a government party and the fragmentation of votes due to the number of candidates, denying that it was a swing away from the party. After a disappointing result, Fine Gael deputy leader and TD for Dublin North Nora Owen commented that the party "were battling against the odds from day one". Later careers Seán Ryan remained a TD until the 2007 general election, when he retired.Murphy Hubert 9 June 2005 Sean Ryan set to step down at next election https://www.independent.ie/regionals/dublin/fingal/sean-ryan-set-to-step-down-at-next-election/27769349.html 10 July 2025 Irish Independent en His brother Brendan attempted to retain his seat for the Labour Party, but was unsuccessful, though he later served as a TD from 2011O'Halloran Marie 29 February 2016 Profile: Brendan Ryan (Lab) https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/profile-brendan-ryan-lab-1.2554139 10 July 2025 The Irish Times en until 2020.McConnell Daniel 8 January 2020 Veteran TD Brendan Ryan to stand down from Labour ticket https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-30974362.html 10 July 2025 Irish Examiner en Michael Kennedy would go on to serve as a TD for the constituency from 2007 to 2011.2 March 2011 Kennedy bares brunt of anger https://www.independent.ie/regionals/dublin/fingal/kennedy-bares-brunt-of-anger/27808448.html 10 July 2025 Irish Independent en Clare Daly would go on to serve as a TD for this constituency from 2011 until 2016, then for its successor constituency Dublin Fingal from 2016 until her election as an MEP, serving in that role from 2019 until 2024.Bolton Michael 24 October 2024 Clare Daly to run in general election in Dublin Central https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/clare-daly-to-run-in-general-election-in-dublin-central-1687025.html 10 July 2025 BreakingNews.ie en Paul Donnelly was elected as a TD in 2020 in Dublin West, and was re-elected in 2024.Pollak Sorcha 30 November 2024 Dublin West: Paul Donnelly (SF) https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2024/11/30/dublin-west-paul-donnelly-sf/ 10 July 2025 The Irish Times en References Category:1998 in Irish politics Category:1998 elections in the Republic of Ireland Category:28th Dáil Dublin North 1998 Category:By-elections in County Dublin Category:March 1998 in Europe Category:1990s in Dublin (city)