GE2020 Results – Crowe romps in with almost double quota

There was a lot of uncertainty, and a nervous energy, surrounding the lay of the land in Dublin South West until Sean Crowe’s surplus was distributed.

Due to the surge in Sinn Féin support and a change in how people were voting, those present in the count centre were unsure as to where Crowe’s transfers would land.

Once the surplus was distributed the playing field became clearer, and candidates started arriving at the count centre.

However, there was still a number of candidates not entirely ruled out – with a few transfer- hopefuls bunched around the middle.

Francis Noel Duffy, Catherine Martin, Turlough, Tadhg and Stella

One of the main benefactors of Sean Crowe’s surplus votes was Paul Murphy (SPBP), who received around 40 per cent of Crowe’s transfers – ultimately placing him in prime position for a seat.

After receiving transfers from councillors Sandra Fay (SPBP) and Carly Bailey (SD), Murphy stepped over the line on the eighth count with 12,311 votes, securing the second seat on day two of the count.

Colm Brophy (FG) was next to be elected, after 400 transfers from Fianna Fáil candidate Charlie O’Connor helped him reach the quota – and seat three.

By count 11 at 9pm on Monday night, it was all done and dusted, with Francis Noel Duffy (GP) taking the fourth seat and John Lahart (FF) the fifth – neither reached the quota.

John Lahart was re-elected on the eleventh count with 10,974 votes, a less easy ride than 2016 when he topped the poll.

Labour’s Ciaran Aherne

One candidate who probably hoovered up a few of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s votes was Ciarán Ahern.

Despite being a first-time candidate in a snap election, Ciarán Ahern (Lab) received 3,603 first-preference votes, which placed him in seventh position on count one.

The Dublin South West electorate also roasted the Labour party in the General Election 2016, so this was no easy feat.

However, Ahern managed to stay seventh in the race, behind Minister Katherine Zappone, until he bowed out in count 10 with 5,803 votes.

Katherine Zappone, who lost her seat, with Councillor Alan Edge and supporters

Minister Zappone also managed to stay on the heels of the leading pack for the duration of the count, sitting in sixth position through the counts.

However, despite remaining upbeat, she was unable to collect the transfers necessary to push her way into the top five, losing her seat after count 11.

Speaking with reporters in the Citywest count centre on Monday night, Minister Zappone said that she plans to continue with her ‘change work’ outside of Irish politics.

Branding herself an “accidental politician”, she thanked her family, friends and colleagues for their support over the course of the campaign.

After the weekend’s intense number crunching, four TDs in Dublin South West have been returned to office, alongside a new face in Francis Noel Duffy.

While the political make-up of Dublin South West may not have changed dramatically, there was a significant change in how and why people voted.

Sean Crowe’s 20,077 first preference votes cannot be ignored.

This was a message that people living in communities right across Dublin South West want and need change.

Here’s hoping that our elected TDs listen, and that they can together work to deliver the change voted for by those living within their constituency.

Winners

• Seats – 5
• Turnout – 62.3%
• Electorate – 109,517
• Total Poll – 68,194
• Valid Poll – 67,565
• Quota – 11,261

ELECTED

• Sean Crowe (SF) – Elected Count 1 with 20,077 first preference votes
• Paul Murphy (SPBP) – Elected Count 8 with 12,311 votes (1st preference 4,477)
• Colm Brophy (FG) – Elected Count 10 with 11,543 votes (1st preference 8,269)
• Francis Noel Duffy (GP) – Elected Count 11 with 11,138 votes (1st preference 4,961)
• John Lahart (FF) – Elected Count 11 with 10,974 votes (1st preference 5,503)