1970 Dublin County South by-election

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1970 Dublin County South by-election
2 December 1970
Turnout24,922 (61.9%)
 
McMahon
Murphy
O'Sullivan
Nominee Larry McMahon James Murphy Donal O'Sullivan
Party Fine Gael Fianna Fáil Labour
First preferences 9,549 8,293 3,449
Percentage 38.3% 33.3% 13.8%
Final count 14,098 9,709 –
TD before election

Kevin Boland
Fianna Fáil

 TD after election

Larry McMahon
Fine Gael

A Dáil by-election was held in the constituency of Dublin County South in Ireland on Wednesday, 2 December 1970, to fill a vacancy in the 19th Dáil. It followed the resignation of Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) Kevin Boland on 4 November 1970.

In May 1970, in the midst of the Arms Crisis, Taoiseach Jack Lynch sacked two cabinet ministers, Charles Haughey and Neil Blaney. Kevin Boland resigned as Minister for Social Welfare. Haughey and Blaney were later charged. On 23 October 1970, after the second of two trials, all defendants were acquitted.

In response to a motion of no confidence submitted by the opposition, Lynch proposed a motion of confidence in the Taoiseach and the government on Thursday, 29 October 1970.[1] The final day of debate was on Wednesday, 4 November.[2] Before the vote was taken on the motion of confidence, Boland submitted his resignation as a TD.[3] Lynch immediately moved the motion to issue the writ of election to fill the vacancy, which was agreed to by the Dáil.[4] Both Haughey and Boland supported the motion of confidence.[5][6]

The by-election was won by the Fine Gael candidate Larry McMahon.[7] It was held on the same day as the 1970 Donegal–Leitrim by-election.[7]

Result

1970 Dublin County South by-election[8][9][10][11]
PartyCandidateFPv%Count
1234
Fine Gael Larry McMahon 38.3 9,549 9,679 10,984 14,098
Fianna Fáil James Murphy 33.3 8,293 8,356 9,044 9,709
Labour Donal O'Sullivan 13.8 3,449 3,485 4,586  
Independent Joseph MacAnthony 12.7 3,169 3,377    
Independent James T. Deegan 1.9 462      
Electorate: 40,216   Valid: 24,922   Quota: 12,462   Turnout: 61.9%  

References

  1. "Confidence in Taoiseach and Government: Motion". Dáil Debates. 249 (2). Houses of the Oireachtas. 29 October 1970.
  2. "Confidence in Taoiseach and Government: Motion (Resumed)". Dáil Debates. 249 (4). Houses of the Oireachtas. 4 November 1970.
  3. "Resignation of Member". Dáil Debates. 249 (4). Houses of the Oireachtas. 4 November 1970.
  4. "Issue of Writ: South County Dublin By-election". Dáil Debates. 249 (4). Houses of the Oireachtas. 4 November 1970.
  5. "Confidence in Taoiseach and Government: Motion (Resumed)". Dáil Debates. 249 (4). Houses of the Oireachtas. 4 November 1970.
  6. McInerney, Michael (5 November 1970). "74 to 67 win for Government in Dail Vote – Lynch declares against General Election – Writ moved for Boland's seat". The Irish Times.
  7. "Return to Writs: Donegal–Leitrim and South County Dublin. – Introduction of New Members". Dáil Debates. 250 (4). Houses of the Oireachtas. 9 December 1970.
  8. "By-election 1970: Dublin County South". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 13 September 2025. Retrieved 30 October 2010.
  9. Gallagher, Michael (2009). Irish Elections 1948–77: Results and Analysis Sources for the Study of Irish Politics 2. Routledge. ISBN 9781138973343.
  10. "20th Dáil 1973 general election results" (PDF). Houses of the Oireachtas. October 1973. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  11. "Dublin County South: 1970 by-election". Ireland Election. Retrieved 19 April 2026.