Donegal South-West was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann , the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas , from 1961 to 1969 and from 1981 to 2016. The constituency elected 3 deputies (Teachtaí Dála , commonly known as TDs). The method of election was proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (PR-STV).
History and boundaries The constituency was first created for the 1961 general election . At the 1969 general election it was abolished and largely succeeded by the Donegal–Leitrim constituency. It was recreated for the 1981 general election . It was located in the southern and western parts of County Donegal , it included the towns of Lifford , Donegal , Ballyshannon , Killybegs and Gweedore . It was abolished again at the 2016 general election , and was succeeded by the Donegal constituency.
The Electoral (Amendment) Act 2009 defined the constituency as:[ 1]
"The county of Donegal, except the part thereof which is comprised in the constituency of
Donegal North-East ."
TDs
Note: The columns in this table are used only for presentational purposes, and no significance should be attached to the order of columns. For details of the order in which seats were won at each election, see the detailed results of that election.
Note: The columns in this table are used only for presentational purposes, and no significance should be attached to the order of columns. For details of the order in which seats were won at each election, see the detailed results of that election.
Elections ^ *: Outgoing TD
2011 general election 2011 general election : Donegal South-West[ 16] Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 4 5 Sinn Féin Pearse Doherty [*] 33.0 14,262 Fine Gael Dinny McGinley [*] 19.9 8,589 9,128 9,287 10,587 11,369 Independent Thomas Pringle 13.5 5,845 7,031 7,364 9,139 10,175 Fianna Fáil Mary Coughlan [*] 11.5 4,956 5,172 5,259 5,655 Fianna Fáil Brian Ó Domhnaill 11.1 4,789 5,147 5,236 5,724 8,834 Labour Frank McBrearty Jnr 5.1 2,209 2,882 3,003 Independent Stephen McCahill 4.2 1,831 2,037 2,141 Green John Duffy 1.2 527 668 New Vision Anne Sweeney[ a] 0.6 255 382 Electorate: 64,568 Valid: 43,263 Spoilt: 332 (0.8%) Quota: 10,816 Turnout: 43,595 (67.5%)
^ New Vision was an electoral alliance of independent non-party candidates and did not appear on the ballot.
2010 by-election On 5 June 2009, Fianna Fáil TD Pat "the Cope" Gallagher was elected to the European Parliament , vacating his seat in the Dáil.[ 17] Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (SF) proposed that the writ of election be issued to fill the vacancy. This motion was rejected by a vote of 69 to 72.[ 18] Ceann Comhairle .[ 19]
On 12 July 2010, Pearse Doherty , a Sinn Féin senator, was granted leave to bring judicial review against the government seeking a declaration that due to the length of the vacancy in Donegal South-West, the government was under a duty not to oppose a motion for a writ. On 29 September 2010, Enda Kenny , leader of Fine Gael , proposed that the writ of election be issued (as well as the writ for two other vacancies). This motion was rejected by a vote of 77 to 81.[ 20] Nicholas Kearns , president of the High Court , made a declaration that there has been an unreasonable delay in moving the writ for the by-election in Donegal South-West.[ 21] [ 22] [ 23]
2010 by-election : Donegal South-West[ 15] Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 4 Sinn Féin Pearse Doherty 39.85 13,719 13,736 15,188 16,897 Fianna Fáil Brian Ó Domhnaill 21.33 7,344 7,358 7,636 8,069 Fine Gael Barry O'Neill 18.66 6,424 6,442 7,313 8,182 Independent Thomas Pringle 9.99 3,438 3,491 3,763 Labour Frank McBrearty Jnr 9.78 3,366 3,375 Independent Anne Sweeney 0.39 133 Electorate: 62,299 Valid: 34,424 Spoilt: 484 Quota: 17,213 Turnout: 57.39%
2007 general election 2007 general election : Donegal South-West[ 14] Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 Fianna Fáil Mary Coughlan [*] 26.4 10,530 Fianna Fáil Pat "the Cope" Gallagher [*] 24.1 9,606 9,976 Fine Gael Dinny McGinley [*] 23.0 9,167 9,249 10,281 Sinn Féin Pearse Doherty 21.2 8,462 8,551 9,263 Labour Séamus Rodgers 2.8 1,111 1,120 Green Seán Ó Maolchallann 1.5 589 596 Independent John Doherty 1.0 388 397 Electorate: 60,829 Valid: 39,853 Spoilt: 421 (1.1%) Quota: 9,964 Turnout: 40,274 (66.2%)
2002 general election 2002 general election : Donegal South-West[ 13] Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Fianna Fáil Pat "the Cope" Gallagher 21.7 7,740 7,843 7,960 8,202 8,502 9,281 Fianna Fáil Mary Coughlan [*] 20.4 7,257 7,380 7,465 7,547 8,335 8,757 8,932 Fine Gael James White 13.1 4,680 4,720 4,740 4,822 5,161 5,385 5,402 5,930 Fine Gael Dinny McGinley [*] 12.3 4,378 4,484 4,512 4,797 5,216 5,921 6,002 7,370 Independent Joe Kelly 8.7 3,091 3,174 3,219 3,329 3,796 Sinn Féin Pearse Doherty 7.6 2,697 2,771 3,571 3,720 4,166 5,170 5,269 Independent Thomas Pringle 7.4 2,630 2,887 2,908 3,078 Sinn Féin Tom Dignam 3.2 1,133 1,148 Labour Séamus Rodgers 3.0 1,079 1,199 1,205 Independent Gwen Breslin 2.6 951 Electorate: 54,789 Valid: 35,635 Spoilt: 500 (1.4%) Quota: 8,909 Turnout: 36,135 (65.9%)
1997 general election 1997 general election : Donegal South-West[ 12] [ 24] Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 4 5 6 Fianna Fáil Mary Coughlan [*] 20.3 6,597 6,620 6,877 7,192 7,548 8,203 Fianna Fáil Enda Bonner 17.7 5,742 5,751 5,832 5,946 6,000 6,745 Fine Gael Dinny McGinley [*] 17.5 5,679 5,695 5,973 6,222 7,434 8,165 Independent Tom Gildea 17.3 5,592 5,651 5,925 6,370 6,489 7,983 Independent Fianna Fáil Paddy Kelly[ a] 12.7 4,123 4,175 4,250 4,415 4,515 Fine Gael Frank O'Kelly 5.5 1,774 1,783 1,873 2,053 Green Elizabeth Cullen 4.2 1,366 1,387 1,643 Labour Manus Brennan 4.2 1,361 1,367 Independent Tom Kennedy 0.6 206 Electorate: 51,479 Valid: 32,440 Spoilt: 454 (1.4%) Quota: 8,111 Turnout: 32,894 (63.9%)
1992 general election 1992 general election : Donegal South-West[ 11] [ 25] Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Fianna Fáil Pat "the Cope" Gallagher [*] 26.4 7,870 Fianna Fáil Mary Coughlan [*] 22.3 6,639 6,915 6,962 7,033 7,178 7,317 7,624 Fine Gael Jim White 19.3 5,745 5,762 5,792 5,836 5,966 6,009 6,379 Fine Gael Dinny McGinley [*] 18.5 5,504 5,564 5,576 5,731 5,855 5,937 6,588 Democratic Left Séamus Rodgers 6.1 1,825 1,863 1,881 1,974 2,058 2,201 Independent Benny Mooney 2.4 700 705 711 765 Sinn Féin Anna Rose Doherty 1.9 577 583 828 855 905 Independent Fred Coll 1.8 539 551 557 Sinn Féin John McCluskey 1.4 409 412 Electorate: 48,528 Valid: 29,808 Spoilt: 688 (2.3%) Quota: 7,453 Turnout: 30,496 (62.8%)
1989 general election 1989 general election : Donegal South-West[ 10] [ 26] Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 Fianna Fáil Pat "the Cope" Gallagher [*] 28.9 8,332 Fianna Fáil Mary Coughlan [*] 26.3 7,592 Fine Gael Dinny McGinley [*] 24.8 7,160 7,534 Workers' Party Séamus Rodgers 9.6 2,768 3,338 Fine Gael Frank O'Kelly 8.6 2,493 2,573 Independent Tom Kennedy 1.8 521 612 Electorate: 47,027 Valid: 28,866 Quota: 7,217 Turnout: 61.4%
1987 general election 1987 general election : Donegal South-West[ 9] [ 27] [ 28] Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 4 5 Fianna Fáil Mary Coughlan 30.7 9,698 Fianna Fáil Pat "the Cope" Gallagher [*] 27.5 8,686 Fine Gael Dinny McGinley [*] 20.1 6,331 6,811 7,008 7,158 9,821 Fine Gael Francis O'Kelly 9.7 3,072 3,452 3,505 3,614 Workers' Party Séamus Rodgers 8.0 2,512 3,030 3,465 4,085 4,344 Sinn Féin Eamonn Monaghan 4.0 1,276 1,702 1,809 Electorate: 45,871 Valid: 31,575 Quota: 7,894 Turnout: 68.8%
1983 by-election Fianna Fáil TD Clement Coughlan died on 1 February 1983.[ 29] writ of election to fill the vacancy was issued.[ 30] Cathal Coughlan , brother of the deceased TD.[ 31]
Cathal Coughlan died on 21 June 1986.[ 32] [ 33]
1983 by-election : Donegal South-West[ 8] [ 28] Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 Fianna Fáil Cathal Coughlan 56.6 17,960 Fine Gael J. J. Reid 31.1 9,870 10,512 10,731 Workers' Party Séamus Rodgers 9.4 2,992 4,021 4,435 Independent Eamon Ó Gallachoir 1.7 530 802 Independent Leo Armstrong 1.2 373 490 Independent Jim Tallon 0.1 37 55 Electorate: 45,823 Valid: 31,762 Quota: 15,882 Turnout: 69.3%
November 1982 general election November 1982 general election : Donegal South-West[ 7] [ 34] Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 4 Fianna Fáil Clement Coughlan [*] 29.5 9,483 Fine Gael Dinny McGinley [*] 26.5 8,544 Fianna Fáil Pat "the Cope" Gallagher [*] 25.4 8,165 Fine Gael Francis O'Kelly 12.5 4,035 4,815 5,270 5,290 Workers' Party Séamus Rodgers 6.1 1,972 2,625 2,664 2,759 Electorate: 45,334 Valid: 32,199 Quota: 8,050 Turnout: 71.0%
February 1982 general election February 1982 general election : Donegal South-West[ 6] [ 35] Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 Fianna Fáil Clement Coughlan [*] 25.1 8,321 Fianna Fáil Pat "the Cope" Gallagher [*] 22.9 7,576 8,011 8,270 Fine Gael Dinny McGinley 21.6 7,160 7,419 10,925 Fine Gael J J Reid 12.4 4,113 4,300 Independent Fianna Fáil Patrick Kelly[ a] 11.7 3,868 4,877 5,036 Sinn Féin The Workers' Party Séamus Rodgers 3.2 1,056 Independent Daniel Harkin 3.1 1,013 Electorate: 44,860 Valid: 33,107 Spoilt: 253 (0.8%) Quota: 8,277 Turnout: 33,360 (74.4%)
1981 general election 1981 general election : Donegal South-West[ 5] [ 36] Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 4 Fianna Fáil Clement Coughlan [*] 26.9 9,341 Fine Gael James White [*] 23.4 8,117 8,167 12,271 Fianna Fáil Pat "the Cope" Gallagher 18.5 6,433 6,969 7,348 7,762 Independent Fianna Fáil Patrick Kelly[ a] 16.2 5,626 5,684 6,197 7,038 Fine Gael Dinny McGinley 14.9 5,199 5,216 Electorate: 44,860 Valid: 34,716 Spoilt: 335 (0.9%) Quota: 8,680 Turnout: 35,051 (78.1%)
1965 general election 1965 general election : Donegal South-West[ 4] [ 37] Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 Fianna Fáil Joseph Brennan [*] 27.3 7,020 Fine Gael Patrick O'Donnell [*] 26.1 6,691 Fianna Fáil Cormac Breslin [*] 24.3 6,240 6,804 Fine Gael James White 16.7 4,298 4,326 Fine Gael Frank Reid 5.6 1,432 1,439 Electorate: 35,828 Valid: 25,681 Quota: 6,421 Turnout: 71.7%
1961 general election 1961 general election : Donegal South-West[ 3] [ 37] Party Candidate FPv% Count 1 2 3 Fianna Fáil Joseph Brennan [*] 29.8 7,045 Fine Gael Patrick O'Donnell [*] 23.3 5,512 5,546 6,030 Fine Gael Christopher Gallagher 19.5 4,599 4,660 4,864 Fianna Fáil Cormac Breslin [*] 19.2 4,536 5,552 5,927 Sinn Féin Séamus Rodgers 8.2 1,930 1,958 Electorate: 36,231 Valid: 23,622 Quota: 5,906 Turnout: 65.2%
References ^ Electoral (Amendment) Act 2009 , Schedule (No. 4 of 2009, Schedule ). Enacted on 24 February 2009. Act of the Oireachtas . Archived from the original on 25 November 2010. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 29 September 2010.^ a b Walker, Brian M, ed. (1992). Parliamentary election results in Ireland, 1918–92 . Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. ISBN 0-901714-96-8 ISSN 0332-0286 . ^ a b "General election 1961: Donegal South–West" . ElectionsIreland.org . Archived from the original on 21 February 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2010 .^ a b "General election 1965: Donegal South–West" . ElectionsIreland.org . Archived from the original on 21 February 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2010 .^ a b "General election 1981: Donegal South–West" . ElectionsIreland.org . Archived from the original on 21 February 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2010 .^ a b "General election February 1982: Donegal South–West" . ElectionsIreland.org . Archived from the original on 21 February 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2010 .^ a b "General election November 1982: Donegal South–West" . ElectionsIreland.org . Archived from the original on 21 February 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2010 .^ a b "By-election 1983: Donegal South–West" . ElectionsIreland.org . Archived from the original on 11 September 2007. Retrieved 19 February 2009 .^ a b "General election 1987: Donegal South–West" . ElectionsIreland.org . Archived from the original on 21 February 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2010 .^ a b "General election 1989: Donegal South–West" . ElectionsIreland.org . Archived from the original on 21 February 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2010 .^ a b "General election 1992: Donegal South–West" . ElectionsIreland.org . Archived from the original on 26 August 2007. Retrieved 19 February 2009 .^ a b "General election 1997: Donegal South–West" . ElectionsIreland.org . Archived from the original on 5 September 2007. Retrieved 19 February 2009 .^ a b "General election 2002: Donegal South–West" . ElectionsIreland.org . Archived from the original on 17 December 2007. Retrieved 19 February 2009 .^ a b "General election 2007: Donegal South–West" . ElectionsIreland.org . Archived from the original on 3 February 2009. Retrieved 19 February 2009 .^ a b "By-election 2010: Donegal South–West" . ElectionsIreland.org . Archived from the original on 21 February 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2010 .^ a b "General election 2011: Donegal South–West" . ElectionsIreland.org . Archived from the original on 9 March 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2011 .^ "Introduction of New Members" . Dáil Debates – Vol. 684 No. 1 . 9 June 2009.^ "Issue of Writ: Donegal South-West By-election" . Dáil Debates – Vol. 687 No. 1 . 2 July 2009.^ "Issue of Writ: Donegal South-West By-election" . Dáil Debates – Vol. 708 No. 1 . 5 May 2010.^ "Issue of Writs: Dublin South, Waterford and Donegal South-West By-elections" . Dáil Debates – Vol. 716 No. 1 . 29 September 2010.^ Doherty v. Government of Ireland [2010] IEHC 369 , [2011] 2 IR 222 (3 November 2010), High Court ^ "Issue of Writ: Donegal South-West By-election" . Dáil Debates – Vol. 721 No. 1 . 4 November 2010.^ "Introduction of New Member" . Dáil Debates – Vol. 723 No. 3 . 30 November 2010.^ Government of Ireland (1998). 28th Dáil General Election June, 1997 Election Results and Transfer of Votes . Stationery Office, Government of Ireland.^ Government of Ireland (1993). Dáil General Election November, 1992 Election Results and Transfer of Votes in the General Election for the Twenty-Seventh Dáil . Stationery Office, Government of Ireland.^ "26th Dáil 1989 general election results" (PDF) . Houses of the Oireachtas . January 1990. Retrieved 25 October 2023 .^ "Donegal South-West: 1987 general election" . IrelandElection.com . Retrieved 17 August 2023 .^ a b "25th Dáil 1987 general election results" (PDF) . Houses of the Oireachtas . July 1987. Retrieved 26 August 2023 .^ "Death of Member. - Expression of Sympathy" . Dáil Debates – Vol. 339 No. 6 . 1 February 1983.^ "Issue of Writ: Donegal South-West By-Election" . Dáil Debates – Vol. 341 No. 6 . 19 April 1983.^ "Return to Writ: Donegal South West. - Introduction of New Member" . Dáil Debates – Vol. 342 No. 8 . 18 May 1983.^ "Death of Member. - Expression of Sympathy" . Dáil Debates – Vol. 368 No. 5 . 24 June 1986.^ "Issue of Writ: Donegal South-West By-Election" . Dáil Debates – Vol. 369 No. 1 . 22 October 1986.^ "24th Dáil November 1982 general election results" (PDF) . Houses of the Oireachtas . August 1983. Retrieved 15 October 2023 .^ "23rd Dáil February 1982 general election results" (PDF) . Houses of the Oireachtas . August 1982. Retrieved 15 October 2023 .^ "22nd Dáil 1981 general election results" (PDF) . Houses of the Oireachtas . September 1981. Retrieved 15 October 2023 .^ a b Gallagher, Michael (2009). Irish Elections 1948–77: Results and Analysis Sources for the Study of Irish Politics 2 . Routledge. ISBN 9781138973343
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