Fine Gael and the Social Democrats have won seats in Dáil Éireann following by-elections in the Galway West and Dublin Central constituencies.

Seán Kyne from Fine Gael has been elected as a TD for Galway West, while Daniel Ennis from the Social Democrats is now a TD for Dublin Central.

The counts took place in the Galway Lawn Tennis Club in Salthill and at the RDS in Dublin after voters in both constituencies cast their ballots on Friday.

The purpose of a Dáil by-election is to fill a seat that has become vacant between general elections, due to resignation, retirement or death of a TD.

Galway

The by-election in Galway West took place to fill the vacancy left by President Catherine Connolly, who left the Dáil where she was an independent TD to pursue her ultimately successful bid for the Áras last year.

There were a total of 17 candidates in the running for just one seat in this by-election.

Following the initial counts, it became apparent that the battle for the seat would be between Independent Ireland's Noel Thomas, who topped the poll, and Fine Gael Senator Sean Kyne.

The final count in the Galway West by-election followed the elimination of Labour's Helen Ogbu and the distribution of her votes.

Thomas had led Kyne by 277 votes going into that eleventh and final count.

However, it was Kyne that benefited more from those transfers allowing him to overtake Thomas and take the seat.

Seán Kyne was born and raised on a farm in Moycullen. Ahead of the election, he had said that "farming is in my blood and something I love".

Dublin Central

Daniel Ennis of the Social Democrats claimed the seat in Dublin Central following the results of the ninth count in the early hours of this morning (Sunday, May 24).

He will fill the seat vacated by Fine Gael TD and former minister for finance, Paschal Donohoe, who left the Dáil to take up a major role in the World Bank.

Sinn Féin's Janice Boylan came second in the by-election in the constituency of party leader Mary Lou McDonald.

Ennis, a former League of Ireland footballer, was elected to Dublin City Council in June 2024.

His election to Dáil Éireann marks the first time the Social Democrats has had two TDs in the same constituency.

The party also looks set to have more speaking time in the Dáil as it now has 12 TDs.

"To say this has been a good day for the Social Democrats is an understatement," Holly Cairns, Social Democrats leader, said in a statement.

"Daniel ran an extremely energetic, hopeful and inclusive campaign which really resonated with voters. He is incredibly hard working, compassionate and rooted in his community - and that really shone through," she added.

Cairns said: "Daniel’s election victory today shows that people who want an alternative to the government are increasingly choosing the Social Democrats".

"I am determined to continue to build on the huge momentum we are seeing in the Social Democrats and run a candidate in every constituency in the next general election," she added.