Key Pieces<\/p>\n
Jack White – 13 minutes ago<\/p>\n
![\"Photograph:](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/DUB3ONAVUFV5Y5LLAAJII3QX54.jpg\")
Photograph: Niall Carson\/PA Wire <\/p>\n
Se\u00e1n Kyne\u2019s victory in Galway West was built on his experience and his recognition in the constituency, Political Correspondent Harry McGee writes. <\/p>\n
A TD and Senator since 2010, he was the only candidate who had a foothold in the two very different geographies of Galway West – the city that dominates it, and the surrounding rural hinterland including the State\u2019s biggest Gaeltacht. <\/p>\n
It is so unusual for a Government candidate to win a byelection – this is only the fourth time it has happened in 44 years – but it was built on a simple campaign that emphasised Kyne\u2019s character and his track record.<\/p>\n
It was noteworthy that he accentuated the positive, focusing relentlessly on his work in helping get big projects over the line for Galway, including the Dexcom Stadium, the State purchase of the airport for the Aran Islands air service, his work in securing piers, and bypasses including the Galway bypass and Moycullen bypass. <\/p>\n
Usually, voters use byelections as instruments to let governments feel the lash of their tongues. And there are many issues that people on the doorsteps in Galway West felt worried about – including the cost of living, housing, childcare, transport and energy costs. But somehow they did not have the expected impact on Kyne. <\/p>\n
His vote was a personality one rather than a Fine Gael one. He was helped by a number of factors. <\/p>\n
The Sinn F\u00e9in threat never materialised and there will be questions asked about its candidate selection. Mark Lohan was impressive on canvass and in debates but it did not translate for the party. Likewise, the Fianna F\u00e1il candidate, Cillian Keane, was largely unknown outside his own area before the campaign. <\/p>\n
In addition, his main rival Noel Thomas was involved with the fuel protests and fuel blockades, and holds strong views on immigration. That made him an unattractive transferee for supporters of parties of the left. <\/p>\n
That could be shown by the huge transfer of votes from Helen Ogbu of Labour to Kyne in the last count.<\/p>\n
And there\u2019s a strong pact evident since 2020 between Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael, evidence by another mammoth transfer of votes from Keane to Kyne after the young councillor\u2019s elimination. <\/p>\n
Fine Gael will take this victory as a huge boost for the party, and reward for its strategy and direction in Government.<\/p>\n
Jack White – 53 minutes ago<\/p>\n
Fine Gael\u2019s Se\u00e1n Kyne wins Galway West byelection![\"Fine](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4SAZKNJLZZSBR7L6U3C7S3DSFM.jpg\")
Fine Gael candidate Se\u00e1n Kyne celebrates with T\u00e1naiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris and supporters after winning the Galway West byelection.
\nPhotograph: Niall Carson\/PA Wire <\/p>\n
Fine Gael\u2019s Se\u00e1n Kyne has been elected following the eleventh and final count for the Galway West byelection.<\/p>\n
Kyne secured the seat vacated by President Catherine Connolly after receiving 4,249 transfers from Labour\u2019s Helen Ogbu.<\/p>\n
It was expected that Ogbu\u2019s transfers would heavily favour Kyne and push him over the line, despite Independent Ireland candidate Noel Thomas leading throughout.<\/p>\n
Kyne finished with 19,218 votes and was elected without reaching the quota.<\/p>\n
He ended 2,699 votes ahead of Thomas, who finished with 16,519 votes. Some 1,273 of Ogbu\u2019s transfers went to the Independent Ireland candidate.<\/p>\n
Jack White – 56 minutes ago<\/p>\n
Pat Leahy and Harry McGee join Hugh Linehan to talk about the results of the Dublin Central and Galway West byelections. Listen below.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1767177877588-3bab3de8-62c2-4c3b-9d11-75f906621012.jpeg\"\/)
Winners and losers: What we\u2019ve learned from the byelectionsTallies suggest win for Fine Gael\u2019s Se\u00e1n Kyne<\/p>\n
Harry McGee reports that Fine Gael\u2019s Se\u00e1n Kyne is receiving transfers at a rate of four to one from Labour\u2019s Helen Ogbu, according to tallies on the last count.<\/p>\n
![\"Independent](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/TXQ5KFXPMCNAN6WPXH4SZLP3WY.jpg\")
Independent Ireland candidate Noel Thomas with party colleagues Richard O’Donoghue and Ken O’Flynn, as counting continues. Photograph: Niall Carson\/PA Wire <\/p>\n
Tallies indicate Kyne will receive 4,300 transfers from Helen Ogbu in the final count, bringing his total to over 19,000 votes. Thomas is set to win about 1,300 bringing his total to about 16,500. <\/p>\n
The hall at the Galway Lawn Tennis Club in Salthill has filled to capacity, with local activists for Fine Gael turning out in droves. Like Daniel Ennis in Dublin Central, Kyne is a tall man so lifting him shoulder high will present a logistical challenge. <\/p>\n
We are moments away from the final announcement.<\/p>\n
Labour\u2019s performance in Galway a testament to \u2018what is to come\u2019, candidate says![\"Labour](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/VN6V7B46BOUDZRXEYKRREJBTRY.jpg\")
Labour candidate Helen Ogbu is cheered on by party colleagues as the Galway West byelection results come in.
\nPhotograph: Niall Carson\/PA Wire <\/p>\n
Labour Party candidate Helen Ogbu has said the support she received proved Galway is a \u201cwelcoming place\u201d and a \u201cplace where diversity thrives\u201d.<\/p>\n
Ogbu was eliminated following the tenth count. She came in third place following the first count with 5,462 first preference votes and finished in third place with 12,960 after transfers.<\/p>\n
Speaking after her elimination, Ogbu said she was \u201coverwhelmed\u201d, adding: \u201cIt\u2019s all thanks to the people of Galway West for believing in me, for giving me the vote. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is actually a testament to what is to come in the next general elections and I\u2019m not going anywhere. This is just the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the support she received proved Galway \u201cis an inclusive county, is a welcoming place, is a place where diversity thrives\u201d.<\/p>\n
Party leader Ivana Bacik said the party was \u201cblown away by the warmth and the enormous support\u201d for the candidate in Galway West.<\/p>\n
Harry McGee reports: We are now in the 11th and final count and Se\u00e1n Kyne has narrowed the cap to 277 votes.<\/p>\n
M\u00edde Nic Fhionnlaoich transferred a surprising number of votes to Noel Thomas (552), only 48 less than she transferred to Kyne who got 600. <\/p>\n
That was not wholly unexpected. It will leave Fine Gael and Independent Ireland on tenterhooks going into the final count where Ogbu\u2019s 12,960 votes will be distributed. <\/p>\n
That said, with only two candidates left, you can expect that Ogbu will transfer more heavily to Kyne. It would be a huge irony if it was the transfers of the left which elected a candidate whose political outlook differs so radically from it. <\/p>\n
So, as we said at the start, it\u2019s going to go right down to the wire but we are still predicting what we have since yesterday, that Kyne will be the person who will just squeeze through in the end. <\/p>\n
Thomas\u2019s big showing on the Social Democrats candidate transfers is partly attributable to geographical factors. Thomas is the councillor who represents the Gaeltacht area of South Connemara where Nic Fhionnlaoich is from.<\/p>\n
Thomas just 277 votes ahead of Kyne following tenth vote<\/p>\n
Independent Ireland\u2019s Noel Thomas remains in the lead following the tenth count, though he is just 277 votes ahead of Fine Gael\u2019s Se\u00e1n Kyne.<\/p>\n
Thomas received 552 transfers from Social Democrats candidate M\u00edde Nic Fhionnlaoich, while Kyne received 600.<\/p>\n
Labour Party\u2019s Helen Ogbu, who received the bulk of Nic Fhionnlaoich\u2019s transfers (3,897) has been eliminated.<\/p>\n
Live results can be viewed here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Fine Gael\u2019s likely victory in Galway West a \u2018a victory for centrist politics\u2019, Harris says T\u00e1naiste Simon Harris has said Se\u00e1n Kyne\u2019s likely victory in Galway West represented \u201ca moment of growth and renewal for the Fine Gael party\u201d as well as an endorsement of centrist politics, Political Correspondent Harry McGee reports.<\/p>\n Harris said his party was going through significant churn when he took over as leader, with 17 retirements from the D\u00e1il. He said the party had then performed well in the local and European elections in 2024, had elected a significant number of new TDs and senators and was now in a period of renewal.<\/p>\n \u201cByelections are extraordinarily challenging, and each of them, whether it\u2019s in Dublin or Galway, they take on a kind of, as I say, a rhythm of their own.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat I take from this is a small sense of encouragement that people will respond to politics that is about trying to deliver solutions, politics that is trying to not be angry or loud or shouty, but actually trying to work hard to deliver. <\/p>\n \u201cIf we prevail today, I think that\u2019s a victory for centrist politics. I am very eager as I want to help lead the centre in Irish politics. I want to make sure the centre holds.\u201d<\/p>\n Harris said some people thought it was okay for the Opposition to have a vote left, transfer left strategy, but then criticise the Government parties for doing the same. <\/p>\n Referring to the strong transfers from Fianna F\u00e1il\u2019s Cillian Keane to Se\u00e1n Kyne, Harris said: \u201cI think it\u2019s just logical. There are lots of people in the general election who voted for Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael\u2026 <\/p>\n \u201cWhile we don\u2019t have formal transfer packs in place, I think it\u2019s just logical if you want to vote for a stable centrist government, particularly now at this early enough point in (its term) and if your candidate of first choice doesn\u2019t get forward, it\u2019s natural that they might pass it on.\u201d<\/p>\n Harris said the party had listened to the concerns of people on the doorsteps in both byelections and would address those concerns, including in October\u2019s budget. <\/p>\n Outlining his priorities, Harris, also the Minister for Finance, said he wanted a child care system that works, that\u2019s affordable and that delivers on the commitments Fine Gael gave in the general election. <\/p>\n Likely Galway West success a \u2018moment of growth and renewal\u2019 for Fine Gael, Harris says<\/p>\n Fine Gael leader and T\u00e1naiste Simon Harris has said Se\u00e1n Kyne\u2019s likely success in the Galway West byelection is a \u201cmoment of growth and renewal\u201d for the party.<\/p>\n T\u00e1naiste Simon Harris has arrived at the count centre in Galway.<\/p>\n Results from the ninth count are in and Fine Gael\u2019s Se\u00e1n Kyne is now just 325 votes behind Independent Ireland candidate Noel Thomas.<\/p>\n Kyne received 2,581 transfers from Fianna F\u00e1il candidate Cillian Keane while Thomas received 797. <\/p>\n Labour\u2019s Helen Ogbu remains in third place, now sitting on 9,063 votes after receiving 563 transfers.<\/p>\n Social Democrats candidate M\u00edde Nic Fhionnlaoich has been eliminated following the ninth count.<\/p>\n Political Correspondent Harry McGee brings us the state of play from Galway West.<\/p>\n He says Se\u00e1n Kyne is \u201cabout to break a little bit of history today\u201d.<\/p>\n Like the sluice gates of a reservoir being opened, the hall has been flooded in the past half hour with a huge torrent of politicians and supporters, Harry McGee writes.<\/p>\n Over half the Fine Gael parliamentary party is here and T\u00e1naiste Simon Harris is expected in the next hour. Labour leader Ivana Bacik is here as is Holly Cairns, leader of the Social Democrats. <\/p>\n Helen Ogbu of Labour embraces M\u00edde Nic Fhionnlaoich and Holly Cairns of the Social Democrats as Fine Gaels\u2019s Sean Kyne watches on at the count centre in Galway West. pic.twitter.com\/mCyujLTxQa<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Harry McGee (@harrymcgee) May 24, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n There is an excitement in the air as we await the results of the ninth count which will be the decisive moment of the counting process. <\/p>\n Fianna F\u00e1il\u2019s Cillian Keane is expected to transfer a whopping 2,500 votes to Kyne, closing the gap to about 329 votes. <\/p>\n If that happens, the die will be cast. The final two candidates to be eliminated, M\u00edde Nic Fhionnlaoich and Helen Ogbu, will favour Kyne over Noel Thomas. <\/p>\n Labour Party representatives are saying there has been a really strong transfer from the Social Democrats to Labour as well of possibly 3,000 votes. So two voting pacts in strong evidence today – the left alliance but also Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael.<\/p>\n \u2018It will be down to the wire\u2019<\/p>\n Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice tells Political Correspondent Harry McGee he believes the contest will be decided by Labour Party candidate Helen Ogbu\u2019s transfers.<\/p>\n Se\u00e1n Kyne has arrived to applause from Fine Gael colleagues at the count centre.<\/p>\n Sean Kyne has arrived at the Galway Count Centre to applause from Fine Gael colleagues. Tallies indicate he has narrowed the gap with Noel Thomas to 329 after a phenomenal transfer from Cillian Keane of Fianna F\u00e1il. pic.twitter.com\/LDugcKxXSB<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Harry McGee (@harrymcgee) May 24, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u2018Disconnect\u2019 between people and political system, Independent Ireland leader says<\/p>\n Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins has described a \u201cdisconnect between the political system and the people\u201d as his party\u2019s candidate, Noel Thomas, leads in Galway West. <\/p>\n Speaking on RT\u00c9\u2019s The Week in Politics, Collins said his party is able to \u201cunderstand and work with those people that are suffering at this present time, the hardworking men and women that go to work every morning and look at the end of the week at their pay packet and there\u2019s nothing left\u201d.<\/p>\n Thomas is currently leading with 13,897 votes. He is ahead of Fine Gael\u2019s Se\u00e1n Kyne who has 11,788 votes after the latest transfers.<\/p>\n Labour\u2019s Helen Ogbu now sits on 8,500 votes.<\/p>\n Sarah Burns – 6 hours ago<\/p>\n Four candidates left standing following eighth count <\/p>\n We are now down to the final four candidates in Galway West following the eighth count, reports political correspondent Harry McGee<\/b>. <\/p>\n Mayor of Galway Mike Cubbard (an Independent centrist candidate) transferred widely across the political spectrum to the left and right. <\/p>\n The biggest beneficiaries were Helen Ogbu of Labour, who received 1,043 transfers and now sits on 8,500 votes, and Independent Ireland\u2019s Noel Thomas who received 950 and now has almost 14,000 votes. <\/p>\n The effect of it has been to widen the gap between himself and Fine Gael\u2019s Se\u00e1n Kyne. However, not by too much. Kyne recievd 674 transers and is at 11,788, some 2,109 votes behind Thomas. <\/p>\n The candidate to be eliminated is Fianna F\u00e1il\u2019s Cillian Keane who is expected to transfer heavily to Kyne and significantly reduce the gap between the top two.<\/p>\n It was thought for a while that Ogbu might close the gap on either Kyne or Thomas but she is a little too far behind, She would need to garner all of the Social Democrat\u2019s M\u00edde Nic Fhionnlaoich\u2019s votes.<\/p>\n All of the count results from Galway West can be found here<\/a>. <\/p>\n Sarah Burns – 7 hours ago<\/p>\n Thomas says it looks like Fine Gael\u2019s Se\u00e1n Kyne might beat him at the post<\/p>\n Independent Ireland\u2019s Noel Thomas has told the Connacht Tribune that it looks like he will not make it, despite having a lead of 1,800 votes over Fine Gael\u2019s Se\u00e1n Kyne at the moment. <\/p>\n \u201cI keep on praying\u201d, he has said but added that \u201ctransfers will not go my way\u201d.<\/p>\n Sarah Burns – 7 hours ago<\/p>\n Social Democrats\u2019 leader Holly Cairns says strong showing of M\u00edde Nic Fhionnlaoich showed voters looking for an alternative. Asked if Sean Kyne prospective victory might counter that she replied that name recognition played a big part in outcome of Galway West. @irishtimes<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/tojNMKel88<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Harry McGee (@harrymcgee) May 24, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Sarah Burns – 7 hours ago<\/p>\n Sinn F\u00e9in \u2018may be at a crossroads with a number of issues\u2019, says Holly Cairns<\/p>\n Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has arrived at the count centre for Galway West in Salthill, fresh from the party\u2019s victory in the Dublin Central byelection in the early hours of this morning. <\/p>\n She said the weekend was a huge success for her party. <\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019re going from strength to strength. We doubled the number of councillors in the local elections, then we doubled the size of our parliamentary party,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n \u201cNow we\u2019ve just increased the size of the parliamentary party and have made a huge impact in Galway West.\u201d<\/p>\n Cairns said that Galway West candidate M\u00edde Nic Fhionnlaoich had been a massive success in the constituency and would finish fourth. She said the party has doubled its vote share in Galway. <\/p>\n \u201cI think people are really looking for a more positive alternative, and I think crucially people are looking for a type of politics that has the courage of its convictions. We never equivocate on issues,\u201d she added. <\/p>\n Asked about the success of the transfer left pact, and particularly the large transfer that went from Sinn F\u00e9in to Independt Ireland\u2019s Noel Thomas, Cairns said that Sinn F\u00e9in \u201cmay be at a crossroads with a number of issues\u201d but that was an issue for that party to work out. <\/p>\n Asked if the fact that a Government candidate seems poised to take the seat in Galway West might counter her argument that people were looking for an alternative, Cairns said: \u201cI think it is fair to say that name recognition played a very big part in the byelection here in Galway West, and I think you know there was a really strong showing for the left too. I think there\u2019s more potential there to grow.\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah Burns – 7 hours ago<\/p>\n More people voted Fine Gael across both constituencies than any other party, says Harris <\/p>\n T\u00e1naiste Simon Harris is expected in Galway West later this afternoon in anticipation of a Fine Gael victory. <\/p>\n Ahead of his visit he has just issued a statement which says that the party could buck the trend as Governments generally don\u2019t tend to win byelections. <\/p>\n \u201cAcross the two D\u00e1il constituencies in which there were elections on Friday, more people voted Fine Gael than any other party,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n \u201cI have listened, with colleagues, to people and am more determined than ever to deliver for them on their key issues and hit the ground running.\u201d<\/p>\n Sarah Burns – 8 hours ago<\/p>\n Thomas boosted again from transfers; is Fine Gael beginning to feel a bit nervous? <\/p>\n Count seven has just been completed in Galway West and, again, Independent Ireland\u2019s Noel Thomas has done well from transfers. <\/p>\n Fine Gael must be beginning to feel a little nervous although they are expecting big transfers in the final counts from Fianna F\u00e1il and the left-leaning candidates, reports political correspondent Harry McGee<\/b>. <\/p>\n There\u2019s an ambivalence about Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s positioning here compared to other left-wing parties. Thomas got the second highest transfer from Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s Mark Lohan (just behind M\u00edde Nic Fhionnlaoich from the Social Democrats). <\/p>\n It is related to the fuel protests where Thomas was a prominent campaigner – and must be jotted down as an anti-establishmentarian vote. There were a lot of non-transferable votes from Sinn F\u00e9in – 720 in total.<\/p>\n All of the count results from Galway West can be found here<\/a>. <\/p>\n Sarah Burns – 9 hours ago<\/p>\n Noel Thomas extends lead over Kyne in sixth count <\/p>\n The sixth count results have just been announced, reports political correspondent Harry McGee<\/b>. <\/p>\n Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s Mark Lohan has been eliminated and, as tallied, Independent Ireland\u2019s Noel Thomas extended his lead over Fine Gael\u2019s Se\u00e1n Kyne by 330 votes. <\/p>\n There is now 1,280 votes separating them. Tally counters expect the gap to increase more with the elimination of Lohan but most of the candidates in subsequent counts will favour Kyne. <\/p>\n Fine Gael are confident the transfers of Fianna F\u00e1il\u2019s Cillian Keane in particular, plus left-leaning candidates, will close the gap.<\/p>\n All of the count results from Galway West can be found here<\/a>. <\/p>\n Sarah Burns – 9 hours ago<\/p>\n Noel Thomas benefits from transfers in count five <\/p>\n Count five in Galway saw the distribution of the votes of two very different candidates, Orla Nugent of Aont\u00fa and Independent Sheila Garrity. <\/p>\n The transfers split in two different ways. Independent Ireland\u2019s Noel Thomas was the chief beneficiary of Nugent\u2019s transfers, picking up 578 votes. <\/p>\n Garrity was the campaign manager for Catherine Connolly\u2019s presidential election and ran a left-wing campaign, which focused on Gaza, Palestine, neutrality, the triple lock and, a favourite phrase of Connolly\u2019s – \u2018the military industrial complex\u2019. <\/p>\n The bulk of her votes were shared between Helen Ogbu of Labour and M\u00edde N\u00ed Fhionnlaoich of the Social Democrats. <\/p>\n There is a gap of 1,000 between Thomas and Fine Gael\u2019s Se\u00e1n Kyne now but that is expected to close in later counts. <\/p>\n The Independent candidate Thomas Welby has now been eliminated and his transfers will be intriguing.<\/p>\n He is from Oughterard, which is the next town in north Connemara from Maigh Cuilinn where Kyne and Thomas are based. <\/p>\n Thomas is originally from Killanin which is the parish in between the two towns and is expected to benefit slightly more from Welby\u2019s transfers. That means the gap will increase. <\/p>\n It will leave Kyne very dependent on the transfers of the remaining candidates, particularly Cillian Keane of Fianna F\u00e1il and the left-leaning candidates. <\/p>\n The transfers of Independent Mike Cubbard, the mayor of Galway, will be interesting as he is a centrist candidate and there is not much intel on the destination of his transfers. A cliffhanger is in store.<\/p>\n Results of all the counts so far in the Galway West byelection can be found here<\/a>. <\/p>\n Sarah Burns – 10 hours ago<\/p>\n It is a beautiful, sunny day in Galway West where count five of the byelection is now underway with a final result expected sometime this evening, reports political correspondent Harry McGee<\/b>. <\/p>\n The transfers of the eliminated Green Niall Murphy in count four were very interesting as Fine Gael\u2019s Se\u00e1n Kyne received over 200 compared to just 20 for Independent Ireland\u2019s Noel Thomas. <\/p>\n If that trend is repeated by the other two centre left candidates, it will favour the Fine Gael candidate over his Independent Ireland rival.<\/p>\n However, it is said that the votes of Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s Mark Lohan are favouring Thomas. <\/p>\n The Independent Tom Welby comes from the same neck of the wood as the two lead candidates and his transfers seem to be slightly going more to Thomas. <\/p>\n There\u2019s a gap of around 600 at the moment and that will definitely close. It will be interesting to see if Thomas can stave off the threat as the counts progress.<\/p>\n Sarah Burns – 10 hours ago<\/p>\n Counting underway in Galway <\/p>\n The counting of votes has resumed in the Galway West byelection. The fifth count has just gotten underway with the distribution of Independent Sheila Garrity and Aont\u00fa\u2019s Orla Nugent\u2019s votes. <\/p>\n![\"Tánaiste](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/MF3G5SREN4TTPQV4YHK6B3VJ4A.jpg\")
T\u00e1naiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris speaks to media in Galway on Sunday alongside Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke and party candidate Se\u00e1n Kyne
\nPhotograph: Niall Carson\/PA Wire <\/p>\n![\"Tánaiste](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/XG7ANVEZ6DPNRQRRLIKADBDIPQ.jpg\")
T\u00e1naiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris with party candidate Se\u00e1n Kyne.
\nPhotograph: Niall Carson\/PA Wire ![\"Photograph:](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/E2CJ2VDIZ2QAOU3ZY6AJLUBM2U.jpg\")
Photograph: Niall Carson\/PA Wire Kyne closes gap to just 325 votes behind Thomas following ninth count<\/p>\n\n
\n
![\"Tally](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/T6WO2GCSYCVUTZKIJDBVKXTACQ.jpg\")
Tally men observe as counting resumes for the Galway West byelection at the Galway Lawn Tennis Club, Salthill. Photograph: Niall Carson\/PA Wire <\/p>\n![\"Independent](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/L2DBFDOQ2JTXQGXBFFYJH6KKVY.jpg\")
Independent Ireland candidate Noel Thomas (left) with Independent Ireland TD Michael Collins, at the count centre in Galway. Photograph: Niall Carson\/PA Wire <\/p>\n\n
![\"Galway](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Q4QCMLKA4VWC43VMITYV2NXNX4.jpg\")
Galway West byelection candidate Mide Nic Fhionnlaoich greeting Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns at the count centre in Galway. Photograph: Niall Carson\/PA Wire ![\"Galway](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/JLQZMJYAQOQKS3FQJQ6YP4JHKU.jpg\")
Galway West byelection candidate Mide Nic Fhionnlaoich greeting Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns at the count centre in Galway. Photograph: Niall Carson\/PA Wire <\/p>\n![\"Tánaiste](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/FLUTY554OUSIJVHIVR64BMSYYU.jpg\")
T\u00e1naiste Simon Harris expected in Galway West later today. Photograph: Liam McBurney\/PA Wire <\/p>\n![\"Sean](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3ZCNQJ4HHZFKNNUK66D4TC7YHI.JPG\")
Sean Kyne near the Spanish Arch on the banks of the River Corrib in Galway city. Photograph: Alan Betson \/ The Irish Times<\/p>\n![\"Votes](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/EPRBCAL24AXF6FIM553DGHWUSM.jpg\")
Votes are counted for the Galway West byelection at the Galway Lawn Tennis Club, Galway. Photograph: Niall Carson\/PA Wire <\/p>\n![\"Independent](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/TMQD76WSFNFVDB6244CS2GYAKY.JPG\")
Independent Ireland’s Noel Thomas at the count centre in Galway Lawn and Tennis Club in Salthill. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni\/The Irish Times<\/p>\n![\"Counting](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/SW7BP7OEXIJJD2M4NX5S3A5OCY.jpg\")
Counting resumes for the Galway West byelection at the Galway Lawn Tennis Club, Galway. Photograph: Niall Carson\/PA Wire ![\"Ballot](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/UX33YBJSDUKORAHTP4OUOGAJHA.jpg\")
Ballot papers are sorted as counting resumes for the Galway West byelection at the Galway Lawn Tennis Club, Salthill. Photograph: Niall Carson\/PA Wire <\/p>\n
![\"Independent](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/NR2UVNMSOVA7JE3UTMAVFHKHVQ.JPG\")
Independent Ireland’s Noel Thomas votes at the count centre at the Lawn and Tennis Club in Salthill. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni\/The Irish Times<\/p>\n![\"Fine](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779650665_178_UUETA54BLFE5HMQ2JKS6AOYDBQ.JPG\")
Fine Gael senator Se\u00e1n Kyne is interviewed at the count centre at the Lawn and Tennis Club in Salthill. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni\/The Irish Times<\/p>\n![\"Daniel](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/HUSTKVPRP5CKVEUVXCKSQAXFZM.JPG\")
Daniel Ennis with party leader Holly Cairns and Gary Gannon at the RDS in Dublin.![\"Social](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/QCVGP2RPJZBQ5HZPJAHJCLIZAY.JPG\")
Social Democrats candidate, Daniel Ennis, wins the Dublin Central by-election. Photograph: Enda O’Dowd\/The Irish Times ![\"Social](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/HWZ46X6DIVEQVBH5ZO2RUH7SK4.JPG\")
Social Democrats candidate, Daniel Ennis, wins the Dublin Central by-election. Photograph: Enda O’Dowd\/The Irish Times <\/p>\n![\"Independent](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/HOHCS3UO7LACE7TUHUXJIHID6E.jpg\")
Independent Ireland candidate Noel Thomas (left) with Independent Ireland TD Michael Collins, at the count centre in Galway Lawn Tennis Club, Salthill. Photograph: Niall Carson\/PA Wire