2019 outcome in local areas recalled

Here we recap on the Fermoy, Lismore, Cappamore/ Kilmallock and Cahir LEAs, that returned 20 councillors in total to Cork County Council, Waterford City & County Council, Limerick City & County Council and Tipperary County Council following the 2019 elections, with the turnout down on the previous local elections in 2014.

As well, we note the outcome of the 11 seats on Cork County Council in the Cobh and Mallow LEAs.

FERMOY LEA

50.41% of the 29,888 electorate in the Fermoy LEA turned out to vote 5 years ago (compared to 59% of the 32,812 electorate in 2014). 259 spoiled votes were recorded (284 five years ago).

The percentage share of the vote, with 2014 figures in brackets, was: FF 48.6% (42.6%); FG 31.5% (14.6%); Lab 3.5% (19.7% when Noel McCarthy was their candidate); SF 4.9% (9.4%); Ind / Others 6% (12.1%); SD 4.5% (N/A) and spoiled 1.7%. Seats 3 FF (3); 2 FG (1) and 1 IND.

LISMORE LEA

In the new Lismore LEA 3-seater, 48.5% of the 9,226 electorate voted. In 2014 in the Dungarvan-Lismore area, the turnout was 11,955, 52% of the then 22,774 electorate.

The percentage share of the vote (with 2014 figures in brackets), was: FG 23.2% (33.8%); FF 26.9% (22%); SF 9.5% (14.6%); Lab 30.9% (14.3%); GP 7.4% (no candidate in 2014). There were 86 spoiled votes 1.9% (148 in 2014). Seat allocation 1 FG; 1 FF; 1 Lab.

CAHIR LEA

6,905, 58.4%, of the 11,826 electorate cast their votes in the new Cahir LEA in 2019. In 2014 15,844 of the 26,765 entitled to cast their vote did so in the then Cahir/Clonmel LEA to fill 8 seats on the new unified Tipperary County Council, representing 59% of the electorate. The party share of first preferences in 2019 was: IND/Others 53.4% (44%); FG 17.8% (26%); FF 25.7% (19%); SF 1.8% (7.5%).

There were 88 spoiled votes (1.3%) compared to 178 at the locals in 2014. Seat allocation in 2019 - IND 2: FF 1; FG 1. Five years previously the 8 seats were: 4 IND/ Others; 2 FF; 2 FG and 1 SF.

CAPPAMORE/KILMALLOCK LEA

The Cappamore/ Kilmallock LEA saw a 54.7% turnout of the 28,363 electorate (54% of 27,485 in 2014), with 268 spoiled votes (187 five years ago).

The valid poll was 15,327 and the share of the vote was: FF 35.7% (32.9%); FG 28.5% (30.9 %); IND/Others 21.3% (22.4%); Aontu 3.1%; SF 5.5% (12.6); SD 4.5%. Seat allocation: 3 FF (3); 2 FG (2); 2 IND (1).

MALLOW LEA

In the Mallow LEA, Pat Hayes (FF), Gearoid Murphy (FF), James Kennedy (LAB), Liam Madden (FG) and Tony O'Shea (FG) were elected, with outgoing Sinn Féin Councillor Melissa Mullane losing her seat, as five new councillors were elected, joining Gearoid Murphy in the new 55 seat Cork County Council. 10,696 (48.7%) of the 21,949 electorate voted, 254 (2.4%) were invalid papers. The share of the vote was as follows: FG 36%; FF 33.7%; Lab 16.7%; SF 11%.

Outgoing councillors, Padraig O'Sullivan (FF), who was subsequently elected to Dáil Eireann in the 2019 Cork North Central by-election and retaining it in the 2020 GE, Anthony Barry (FG), Sinead Sheppard (FG) and Cathal Rasmussen (LAB) were joined by Sean O'Connor (IND) and Alan O'Connor (GP) as the 6 new Cobh LEA representatives in Cork CC, after 12,207 (46.9%) of the 26,045 electorate had their say on polling day, 252 (2%) of which were invalid. The party share of the vote was: FG 27.7%; FF 24.2%; IND 13.2%; LAB 12.7%; GP 7.2%; I4C (Independents 4 Change) 6.8%; SF 4.2%.

In the six electoral areas listed above, the party share of the 31 seats was as follows: 11 FF; 10 FG; 3 LAB; 6 IND; 1 GP. See charts for detailed accounts of some of the counts as they unfolded with the distribution of surpluses, eliminations and the final results. Co-options and other changes since 2019 are covered separately.