DistantNews
Support us
Byelections latest: Final days of campaigning in Dublin Central and Galway West | Irish Times (IE) | Wednesday, May 22,
🇮🇪 Ireland /Elections & Politics

Byelections latest: Final days of campaigning in Dublin Central and Galway West | Irish Times (IE) | Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 10:00 AM GMT+3 | Main PointsThere are just two days before voting in the Dublin Central and Galway West byelection byelections beginsFine Gael’s Ray McAdam says he will work to expand CCTV cameras if electedGerry Hutch, who gardaí have described in court as the figurehead of the Hutch crime gang, has been canvassing in DublinParty leaders will be joining their candidates on the campaign over the coming days Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris is heading to Galway today and will be there tomorrow as wellMary Lou McDonald will be in Dublin Central and Galway West, while Holly Cairns will be in GalwayIvana Bacik will be in Galway tomorrowVoting takes place from 7am to 10pm on Friday and with crowded fields of candidates in both constituencies transfers are set to be decisiveCounting starts on Saturday morning with results expected by early eveningKey ReadsOpinion: We finally know how much money shapes Irish electionsInside Politics: All to play for in Dublin Central and Galway WestWhat are voters’ five big issues in Dublin Central and Galway West byelections?Four things to watch in last few days of campaigningInvestigation: Suspicious betting on Gerry Hutch in Dublin Central byelection Dublin Central poll: Janice Boylan leads with Gerry Hutch in third Galway West poll: Fine Gael, Independent Ireland, Labour in strongest contention seatSarah Burns - 0 minutes agoSarah Burns - 48 minutes agoGood morning. Just two more days of campaigning to go before the votes are cast in the Galway West and Dublin Central byelections. Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris is heading to Galway this evening and will be there tomorrow as well.Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald will be in both Dublin Central and Galway West. Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns will be in Galway today, while Labour leader Ivana Bacik is going down tomorrow. There will be the inevitable swim photo op on Friday morning.Meanwhile, political correspondent Harry McGee went out in the rain in Dublin with Gerry Hutch and saw the veteran criminal promised votes to beat the band. He couldn’t...could he? Read more here. Gerry Hutch with SIPTU member carers from Blanchardstown and Inner City Healthcare pictured on the picket line outside North Park in Finglas. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Elsewhere, the number of RTÉ workers earning more than €100,000 annually grew by more than a third in the last five years.Figures released by the broadcaster following queries from The Irish Times show that for total earnings – including pensions, salaries and allowances – there were 270 employees earning more than six figures at the organisation in 2020.Montrose executives will appear before the Oireachtas media committee on Wednesday.On Tuesday, Cabinet approved draft laws bringing RTÉ under the supervision of the State’s spending watchdog, the Comptroller and Auditor General, alongside several other measures the Coalition said would improve transparency and oversight.Read the full piece from Jack Horgan-Jones her | Src: Irish Times (IE)

From Irish Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Campaigning intensifies in Dublin Central and Galway West byelections with two days remaining.
  • Key political leaders are actively campaigning for their respective candidates.
  • Voting is scheduled for Friday, with results expected by Saturday evening.

The final stretch of campaigning for the Dublin Central and Galway West byelections is underway, with just two days left before voters head to the polls. The energy is palpable as party leaders, including Tánaiste Simon Harris and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, are crisscrossing the country to rally support for their candidates. This intense final push highlights the significance these byelections hold in the current political landscape.

Intriguing narratives are unfolding on the ground. Political correspondent Harry McGee's encounter with Gerry "The Monk" Hutch, a figure described by gardaí as the head of the Hutch crime gang, has added a layer of unexpected drama. Hutch's reported canvassing and promise of votes inject a unique, albeit controversial, element into the Dublin Central race, prompting questions about the broader influences at play in Irish elections.

Meanwhile, the focus remains on key issues and voter concerns. Reports delve into the financial aspects shaping the elections and explore the five major issues voters are grappling with in both constituencies. The tight races, particularly in Galway West where Fine Gael, Independent Ireland, and Labour are strong contenders, suggest that vote transfers will be crucial in determining the outcome.

As the campaign culminates, the Irish media is providing comprehensive coverage, from opinion pieces and inside politics analyses to polls and investigative reports. The upcoming vote on Friday, followed by the counting on Saturday, promises to be a closely watched event, reflecting the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of Irish politics.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Irish Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog