Hayes wins South Tipp seat

Senator Tom Hayes of Fine Gael has won the South Tipperary by-election after taking nearly 36 per cent of first preferences votes.

In the final tally Mr Hayes had 15,791 votes, just 163 votes short of the quota but was deemed elected by virtue of having the highest number of votes.

His nearest rival was independent candidate Ms Philomena Prendergast who had 12,891 votes. Fianna Fail's Mr Michael Maguire was eliminated after the second count despite taking 26 per cent of the first preference votes.

Labour's candidate Mr Denis Landy took just under 13 per cent (4,103) of the first preference votes and was eliminated after the first count.

Official figures put the turnout at 58.6 per cent, up slightly from last year’s by-election figure of 57 per cent.

Mr Hayes polled particularly strongly in Cashel and Tipperary towns with 65.6 and 47 per cent of first preferences respectively.

The strong performance by Mr Hayes will be seen as good news for Fine Gael leader Mr Michael Noonan in his first major electoral test since becoming party leader. A jubilant Mr Noonan appeared at the election centre in Clonmel to congratulate his new deputy.

Mr Hayes said he hoped his election would help Mr Noonan bring about a change in government. He thanked the people of South Tipperary for electing him to Dail Eireann, and said: "I will work night and day to represent this constituency at national level."

The race for second place went down to the wire. Mr Landy's transfers allowed Ms Prendergast to leapfrog the Government candidate into second place.

Ms Prendergast thanked all those who had voted for her, and who she said had wanted a female TD for South Tipperary. She said the election had highlighted the public's concern with the health sector, and she called on Minister for Finance Mr Charlie McCreevey to put money into the "ailing" service.

Fianna Fail's Mr Maguire said he had fought a tough campaign but the people of South Tipperary had spoken and he accepted the voice of democracy.

Labour's Mr Landy said the campaign had been about the issues and not the personalities. He said he would continue to work at rebuilding the Labour vote in its birthplace. "Tomorrow the campaign begins again," he added.

Mr Landy's defeat is a blow for the Labour Party whose vote has dropped four per cent on its performance in last year's by-election.

Labour leader Mr Ruairi Quinn told ireland.com that Mr Landy had been an excellent candidate. He conceded his party's vote was down on last year's result, but said Mr Landy is here for the long haul.