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SINN FÉIN FRONTBENCHER David Cullinane hailed an “absolutely phenomenal” first for the party after he brought a running mate over the line in Waterford.
He told The Journal that the party has seen growth in election after election – from 6% when he first stood 22 years ago to guaranteeing at least one third of the vote now – thanks to “hard work on the ground, grinding it out every day and every week and articulating the needs of the people” in the constituency.
He said there was a “bittersweet” feeling to his success last time in 2020 when he got 38% of the vote, as there was no other party candidate to pass on the health spokesperson’s almost entire extra quota of votes to get another TD elected.
Cullinane pointed to a strong branch containing what he dubbed “local leaders” in the city and county, which he and others believe bore fruit during an awkward local election for Sinn Féin last June.
While they struggled in many parts of the country, they managed to overtake Fianna Fáil in terms of councillors on the local authority. It included big wins in rural areas, making them the joint largest party on the council with Fine Gael.
For this past week’s general election, the party’s vote was still down about 5% on 2020. However, it had plenty enough to see Cullinane top the poll, and then for McGuinness to get over the line against outgoing TD Matt Shanahan.
The Independent saw his campaign end in controversy when he had to apologise for broadcasting a visual display on the side of University Hospital Waterford, including on a building housing a palliative care ward. He first defended the display as “fair political comment” before backing down.
A big factor in the win was McGuinness having the west of the county to himself as all other parties ran candidates cloistered in around the city and the mid-county.
The 37-year-old was assisted by disciplined party transfer rates from Cullinane – around 75% of the senior TD’s surplus – and further strong transfers from the Social Democrats, possibly influenced by a last-minute ‘vote left, transfer left’ strategy.
Shanahan’s own camp noted that they were hoping for more transfers from the SocDems’ Mary Roche due to her and the Independent being based close to each other in the city, but their hearts dropped as they could see ballot after ballot containing second, third and fourth preferences for McGuinness – and none for Shanahan.
Some of the senior people in the Shanahan camp told @thejournal_ie earlier that they felt Mary Roche’s transfers were showing a ‘vote left, transfer left’ strategy, with McGuinness picking up second and third preferences from SocDems but leaving Shanahan with none https://t.co/v5YUcWOa72
— Eoghan Dalton (@EoghanDalton) December 1, 2024
It’s not clear if the display had much effect, but some in the count centre this weekend thought it may have swayed preferences of undecided voters who were entering the ballot box in the hours after the controversy occurred.
The party entered Friday’s vote with a sense that they could make a number of unexpected gains across the country thanks to a late shift in polls. So how did the party actually get on? It’s a mixed picture.
Party strategists told The Journal early last week that they believed a late shift in the polls meant they could eye extra seats in Waterford, parts of Dublin and Cork with greater confidence.
Sinn Féin also managed to get two TDs over the line in Dublin South Central thanks to incumbent Aengus Ó Snodaigh and Liberties-based councillor Máire Devine.
Ó Snodaigh had more than two quotas last time around in 2020 so the party added Devine and Daithí Doolan to the ticket this time.
In Dublin Mid-West, the party expected to retain the two seats it secured in 2020 (after Ward won a by-election in 2020). Housing spokesperson Eoin O Bróin and mental health spokesperson Mark Ward were almost certainly also helped by the constituency becoming a five-seater.
However, the party came unstuck in Cork North Central. Sinn Féin had added its press officer and local councillor Joe Lynch to the ticket alongside its TD Thomas Gould who had been elected with over 3,000 votes more than needed four years ago.
On this occasion, the party’s overall share fell from 26% to around 17%. It meant only Gould could get elected and Lynch barely featured in the final shakes, amid strong competition from People Before Profit, Independent Ireland and Labour.
A similar story could be found on the other side of the River Lee where the party witnessed some of its vote hocked off since 2020.
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire had topped the poll for Cork South Central then with 24% of the vote, well clear of Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, but that feat was not repeated this weekend.
Instead the party’s vote plunged to around 15% which was shared with Ó Laoghaire’s unsuccessful running mate Michelle Cowhey Shahid. The party was also possibly caught off guard by the Social Democrats’ Pádraig Rice getting a seat.
Ó Laoghaire still had enough to get a seat but their experiences in Cork may make them wary in future elections.
In Louth, Ruairí Ó Murchú has been elected and his running mate Joanna Byrne also looks set to take a seat previously held by Imelda Munster. The party ran a third candidate Antóin Watters, but his whose vote looked set to help Byrne over the line.
The party had three-candidate strategies for Donegal and Cavan-Monaghan, but these did not seem entirely feasible.
There were already two Sinn Féin TDs in Donegal in Pearse Doherty and Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. The third candidate there was seasoned councillor Noel Jordan.
The three were spread across the constituency but it would have had to be a very good day for Sinn Féin for them to get three out of five seats in Donegal.
It was a more complicated story in Cavan-Monaghan which is still counting at the time of writing.
Frontbencher Matt Carthy was ahead of the whole pack on 13.5% but his running mates TD Pauline Tully and councillor Cathy Bennett were evenly split on around 9-10% after the first count. They made up 35% of the total vote, just below the last time.
It still looks likely that either Tully or Bennett will get a second seat but the party’s bid to grow its vote may have caused more nerves that it would have liked.
Sinn Féin councillor Joanne Bailey in Waterford said that the party needs to be aggressive with its candidate strategy, saying that it was “too quick to be defeatist” after the June local elections, when it didn’t do as well as hoped.
Bailey told The Journal at the Waterford count that the party took criticism for running a multitude of candidates but said this was crucial to growing its vote in a raft of areas.
She pointed to Waterford and to her own native Carlow-Kilkenny, where the party was polling well enough over the weekend to be unexpectedly in contention for two seats, before eventually finishing with just one.
The five-seat constituency had been written off after Kathleen Funchion was elected to Europe earlier this year. It’s gone with a two-candidate strategy via Carlow and south Kilkenny to try and ensure a vote.
But Kilkenny-based Natasha Newsome Drennan and Carlow’s Aine Gladney-Knox both performed better than initially expected to boost the party. Newsome Drennan took a seat on the final count, just 132 votes ahead of Gladney-Knox who lost out.
“You have to grow the party in these areas and you have to grow the candidates, put them forward. That’s the way we can keep growing and building more mass support,” said Bailey.
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Great I’ve no sympathy for them leaches trying to hijack one of the busiest weekends in the airport for their own benefit
Nothing to do with leaching. That’s the problem with the working class they trod on there own to drink the cream.
It was to do with failures of management who continue to extract money from workers in a glorified pyramid scheme
Common sense prevails
Now they really need to strike. .. and tell the courts to f c u k off
James
You will find that the High Court deals with the law rather than common sense as you put it.
SIPTU has never used common sense just put the bull beaters to the fore
2 fingers to SIPTU idiots. Striking went out in the 80′s.
Quite simply this is most likely unconstitutional. I don’t think they should ever have planned it for such a weekend but I don’t believe the courts are right in granting this injunction.
I don’t believe you are right Tony Canning
So prove my opinion wrong.
What is your opinion based on? Legal knowledge? Expertise In constitutional law? Employment law? Or just “not liking it”?
The high court would be the de facto authority on such matters, so I reckon it’s up to you to back up your claim. Or just shut up.
Right around Maggies time, how convenient you would say that
Jezz Stalin, don’t show trial him.
I sense a ‘Blu-Flu’ coming on!
Actually could read……Blu – ‘Flew’!
Were the workers pensions linked to the Markets and were the workers aware of this ?
If yes then tough s**t. Many private pensions got wiped out or are now worth very little. Must of been made aware that value could go up or down.
If no, then who stole the money ?
These are defined benefit schemes. Your point is only valid in respect of defined contribution schemes.
What were the workers promised on retirement and were the employees contributing anything?
Ben, pension funds whether defined or contributory get invested in markets. The problem is the DB pensions are little more than pyramid schemes and should be outlawed. The funny thing is SIPTU’s own pension fund is in serious trouble, pity they don’t go on strike!
Not true begrudery aib had their private pension deficit filled by the taxpayer
A percentage of their salary in respect of each year worked payable an agreed age. The vast majority of pension schemes are contributory.
Philip, you are 100% correct and it is an absolute disgrace. Shower of B*5^$£$tards
I contributed nearly 7% of my wage for 28 years to fund my defined benefit pension for my retirement!
Ben DB pensions utterly rely on investment on open market to function as contributions never come close to covering the payouts. Many DB funds are struggling because of the failure of these investments; large funds have been able to cover current pension payments with the incoming contributions as a short term fix, but smaller pots are banjaxed.
Someone said earlier that pensions were pyramid schemes; not far off
really
Time for all the Unions to stand up now and grind the country to a halt. If you continue to lie down, they will continue to walk all over you.
I agree Coddler.
A general strike would crush the trade union movement once & for all.
Bring it on Jeremy. The government would last less than a week after the light go off.
Coddler
You seem to be so respectful of the law and you want a political career as well. What a foolish and silly man.
And who do you think that this would inconvenience the most?
You’re all mouth and trousers Conor. It’s easy to make billy big bollox statements about bringing down the government on comments pages isn’t it? You taking a day off work to picket the airport in support of your comrades? Pillock.
The strikers should go ahead with the strike until they get their demands.What does the court know about poor people.
What does a state company union know about poor people?
nothing and everything, counting on the person’s background in the union he might know alot and if not will be able empathise with them anywho and learn from it.
Can the Union and it’s members afford the consequent sequestration of their funds and assets to pay the damages for contempt?
France’s
The High Court decision means that any strike this weekend is illegal and any striker and his or her Union will be held personally responsible for any financial losses caused as a result of their misbehaviour.
I think you’ll find that it won’t be just their pensions that will be wiped out but their houses and their Unions assets as well. Additionally they could also be jailed.
Still think they should strike regardless……………………or do you now realise how foolish you look?
Yes. Courts hardly going to lock up thousands of people. Union would just get fined or something….
This strike is about pensions, not poverty.
SIPTU would be fined millions (which they have) so please I for one hope they are stupid enough to go ahead.
Ye poverty comes later when all these thousands of workers have no pension. So instead of them having a pension of there own ? Now they will apply for the full state pension. Costing the taxpayer more in the long term then if they had there own….
Tho sure everyone against airport workers striking because it’s “unfair” and workers are “leeches” and greedy haven’t thought that far ahead ?.
Maybe not but the courts can seize all the assets of the union. Look what happened to the British Miners Union in the 1980′s. We have the same laws here.
The pension fund is in deficit for a variety of reasons which have little to do with the current management and shareholders.
1. The inequitable division of assets and liabilities when Aer Lingus and the servicing and maintenance divisions were privatised.
2. The disproportionate draw downs on the fund to help pay for various redundancy and severance rounds.
3. The collapse of Bond yields in the last decade.
4. The totally unreasonable method of calculating the liabilities of a pension fund to arrive at the notional deficit.
Aer Lingus is not a state company it is private
Can mean the same thing
But of course so they do not have poverty in their older days, by striking for a well paid pension?
People 1 Union 0
It was not between people and union. It was between people and big business. People 0 Big Business 1. As ever though :)
Big business – Aer Lingus, not even close
Workers 0
What’s’ new? Has a judge or a Court ever refused an employer(s) request for an injunction against a Union(s) and its member so as to prohibit workers striking? So much for workers’ rights! Class politics, is as ever, a live a well in Ireland. In any event the Airport workers should, take the initiative and strike for their pension rights anyway.
Real common sense prevails.
All that rearranging for nothing.
On what grounds was the injunction granted, apart from “illegal”???
Simply that all avenues for negotiation and conciliation have not been exhausted. SIPTU should have waited before calling strike action.
It’s a long while since I’ve been in the courts, but back then “illegal” was a pretty good ground for granting an injunction.
Ordinary worker told to go and do one by privileged people whose pension will there for them when they retire from there privileged position
Another victory of government over the interests of the little guy. Oh well. I guess it’s gonna be the middle finger to unions whenever any industrial action is threatened now.
Its a victory for the little guy.
State controls everything now …
What is this feeling sweeping over the nation? Why it’s almost as if it’s this ‘common sense’ I’ve heard about from distant shores. Unfamiliar territory altogether.
People have a fundamental right to strike. . Like it or not… they should all take a sick day on friday…
I have a fundamental right to break wind in a lift but it doesn’t make me any less of a bollix when I do it. The complete contempt SIPTU showed for this country’s tourism and tourists when they “unfortunately” picked this weekend means this is a victory for common sense regardless of the fundemental right to strike.
Regardless of where you choose to fart, fundamental rights cannot be removed from a person…. while the union can’t strike, each person can.
If an individual strikes he is in breech of contract and can be fired. When a Union calls a strike, the manner in which it does so regulated by statute and if it follows the rules it and it’s members are protected in law.
Ben a sick cert from a doctor also covers you in the event of an absence,just saying.
Are you suggesting that workers resort to fraud?
Ha! In your face, SIPTU! Shower of greedy pigs.
Great decision by the High Court
The people planning this strike ought to be ashamed of themselves, and now a clear message has been sent that people and the state will not tolerate this bullying brinkmanship.
Yes they may have issues but there are better ways to sort it out than entering a 1970′s timewarp and calling a strike on an incredibly busy weekend. What sort of way is that to treat customers? They are a disgrace.
I was unaware that the welfare of tourists outrank our own workforce.
I think now a clear message has been sent that employees have no rights and contracts are not worth the paper they are written on. Now every company will have an excuse of one sort or another to stop workers from demanding their contractual pay. Remember “our employees are our best asset”? Well, guess not.
“Welfare of tourists” Fergus think for a second, what do tourists bring with them… Money. What do does our economy need especially seasonal businesses… (I’ll give you a patronising round of applause if you get that one)
Congratulations to the DAA & Ryanair for finally doing what is right for their customers and going to court to stop this madness.
Now I hope that the DAA will be competent when it comes to deal with anybody who ignores this injunction and participate in a wild strike or some other illegal action and deal with them with all possible options available.
I also hope that the DAA is using this scare to prepare a better contingency plan for future strike threads (which I’m sure will come soon).
wont hold my breath on ryanair taking injunctions in spanish and french courts during the summer when air traffic controllers engage in their annual summer strike…for ryanair its about publicity nothing more
Members of that DAA defined benefit pension scheme must pull together and come up with suggestions and solutions themselves on how, over time, to plug that €700 m black hole.
Folks becoming more actively involved in matters affecting own pocket, often arrive at innovative, cheaper, and previously unthought of solutions for benefit of group.
Maybe more Ryanair shares could be acquired by the pension fund. And with O Leary in a mood to pay annual dividends, perhaps the time is right to load up.
Over time Mike delivers value. A chunk in Paddy Power plc perhaps! And what about the Kerry Group, it rarely disappoints.
Glanbia plc, CRH plc, AIB and Boi ( yes these two shares will bounce back and soon) are others for consideration.
Is there a “Wilbur Ross” amongst the group there, one close to fund managers, who can and will make the right move?
That black hole could be closed by 2020 IMO with some astute fund management. Don’t wait for others to do what can be done in- house!
Ryanair shares. Break up AL. Let FR buy the transatlantic routes and associated infrastructure.
Why aren’t current pensioners taking a hit? Or are they?
The fascist anti worker tone here is scary
@gerbeen the current pensioners are taking a hit.its 10%.
Government had the president sign it into law on christmas Day.
This effects all pensions
If in doubt, label anything you don’t agree with as fascist. That’s a foolproof argument strategy right there.
Pagan thanks … are they actually though or just legislation? Either way their successors cant afford them. And I don’t think a cent of taxpayer money should be used here. Thanks to Waterford Crystal ruling the government have pledged was it 50%? So safeguards are in place. Many of us are building from scratch.
In fairness though I have no issue with AL striking. “Private” company etc. DAA are core and should be on same level as garda etc
People saying common sense are ridiculous, They are the real leeches.
Bankrupt State guarantees public service pensions, due to reasonable expectation that pensions are paid. Taxpayer pays. The green eyed gobstites shows no solidarity with anyone else
look forward to ryanair taking out future injunctions against french and spanish air traffic controllers during the annual strikes that accompany the summer….see how much they really think of their irish customers….wont be holding my breath on those injunctions…………
it would appear the courts hands are. Tied when it comes to bankers pensions & the privileged elite when it comes to the average working man or woman workers rights are all but a joke & the 2 fingers shown to the working class by the privileged they best hope the 2 fingers don’t come back in the form of BLUE FLU
Adding fuel to the fire.
Seems pointless the airlines have changed flights and organised passengers as best they could already. They are hardly going to change back to the original schedules at this late stage.
So Friday 5am – 9am the airports will still be like ghost towns. Staff now standing around with next nothing to do ?? Company’s should have let the strike go ahead and saved on wages….
Only in Ireland :/
Aer lingus are the only ones to rearrange flights ryanair and the rest haven done it
Ah that can’t be true is it ??? Ryanair cares about it’s customers now ??? They wouldn’t have gambled on getting the injunction to accommodate customers ?
Jet fuel of course
Lock them out!
Don’t forget where the pension problems in both entities stems from the unsustainable DB schemes in the public sector. If I’m not mistaken both schemes were set up when the DAA & Aer Lingus were semi-states. Back in the day once you joined a semi-state or the public sector more often then not a perk of the job was the DB scheme where not actual thought was ever given into how these schemes would be funded. Unfortunately for both sets of workers they now work for commercial entities that understand DB schemes should & have to be self- funding, its only a matter of time before some government realizes the same to be true of all DB schemes in the public sector until such time it’s you and I the private sector workers who are going to have to fund these schemes. Serious thought needs to be given to a universal pension scheme the higher paid in the public sector won’t like it but at least every worker in the state would be guaranteed a modest pension to live on after they retire. The days of getting one & a half times your final yrs salary as a tax free lumpsum followed by 2/3 of salary pension are coming to an end.
You’re mixing up pension types and it makes your entire comment nonsensical. Db schemes are completely different to the state scheme. In the state scheme there is no fund. Contributions go to pay pensions, nothing is saved.
In a db scheme there is a guaranteed return, usually underwritten by the employer. The return is quite poor in terms of the payment in but what made them attractive was that guarantee. And it turns out that guarantee is worthless. Ordinary working people screwed.
Gold plated public service pensions are still being doled out to politicians and those at the top, but alas all are funded by current day to day taxation taken from those on far lower earnings, thanks to the scam that was benchmarking under Bertie.
I fully agree with their right to strike over the pensions disaster but doing it this weekend for ‘maximum effect’ would only have the effect of destroying any goodwill towards them and doing severe economic and reputational damage to the country at a time when we are desperately clawing our way back to stability.
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