2005 Meath by-election

2005 Meath by-election

← 2002 general election 11 March 2005 2007 general election →
Turnout50,183 (41.5%)
 
Nominee Shane McEntee Shane Cassells Dominic Hannigan
Party Fine Gael Fianna Fáil Labour
First preferences 16,964 16,117 5,567
Percentage 34.1 32.4 11.2
Final count 24,047 21,178

 
Nominee Joe Reilly Sirena Campbell Fergal O'Byrne
Party Sinn Féin Progressive Democrats Green
First preferences 6,087 2,679 1,590
Percentage 12.3 5.4 3.2
Final count

 
Nominee Liam Ó Gogáin
Party Independent
First preferences 702
Percentage 1.4
Final count

Meath shown within Ireland

TD before election

John Bruton
Fine Gael

Elected TD

Shane McEntee
Fine Gael

A by-election was held in the Dáil Éireann Meath constituency in Ireland on Friday, 11 March 2005. It followed the resignation of Fine Gael Teachta Dála (TD) John Bruton on 31 October 2004 to take up his new position as European Union Ambassador to the United States.

Tommy Reilly, the original Fianna Fáil candidate, was forced to stand down due to some land rezoning issues.[1]

On 15 February 2005 the campaign began in earnest when it was announced that polling would take place on 11 March. Seven candidates contested the vacant seat, with victory going to the Fine Gael candidate, Shane McEntee.[2]

On the same day, a by-election took place in Kildare North, both were the final occasions which the Progressive Democrats contested by-elections.

  1. ^ "No date set for Meath by-election". RTÉ News. February 2005. Retrieved 1 February 2005.
  2. ^ "Meath By-election: 11 March 2005". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 25 November 2008.