Local Elections

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar after voting in Scoil Thomais in Castleknock, Dublin. His Fine Gael party is hoping to make gains in the local elections, although party figures do not expect it to overtake Fianna Fáil as the largest party in local government. Photograph: Aidan Crawley What trends to look out for in the local elections
President Michael D Higgins and Sabina Higgins have cast their vote this morning at St Mary’s in the Phoenix Park. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw Vote 2019: Polls close in local and European elections and divorce referendum
A legal action may be mounted by Fine Gael challenging the result of the local elections in Sligo. File photograph: Bryan O’Brien/The Irish Times Local election result may be challenged amid electoral fraud allegations
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The ballot boxes will be opened at 9am on Saturday but results of the local and European elections may not be known until early next week. File photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times. Vote 2019: What are we voting on? Who is running and when will we get the results?
A dog named Lucky waits for its owner to cast their vote in the polling station on Inishbofin on Thursday. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Vote 2019: Ireland heads to the polls for elections and referendum
The local elections today will tell us something about the health of our democracy. File photograph: Rui Vieira/PA Wire The Irish Times view on the local elections: No excuse for not voting
A garda superintendent from outside the Kerry Division has been assigned to investigate the alleged voter registration irregularities. File photograph: Rui Vieira/PA Wire Garda Ombudsman opens inquiry into Kerry voter registration

Separate Garda inquiry under way into claims forms were stamped without voter present

Two of the sticker designs to be used at Dublin polling stations on Friday as part of the ‘I’ve Voted’ initiative. Sticker campaign seeks to boost turnout in Dublin

‘I’ve Voted’ stickers designed by artists including Maser to encourage youth turnout

Local elections, Kimmage-Rathmines: Green Party local election candidate Patrick Costello canvasses in Harold’s Cross, Dublin. Photo : Laura Hutton/The Irish Times 'You can’t ignore it': BusConnects a crux issue in south Dublin

‘I’ll chain myself to those trees before I let them cut them down’ says one resident

Hazel Chu of the Green Party: ‘No matter what I do I will never be Irish to some people.’ Photograph: Nick Bradshaw Racism on the campaign trail: ‘One guy said all migrants are cancer’

Local election candidates have experienced racism online and had posters taken down

Amanda Hutchinson from Rathfarnham with her dog, Vance, and Wendy Mantle from Knocklyon with her dog, Brooke, in Bushy Park, Terenure, Dublin. Dog fouling: ‘Like drink-driving - we need a bigger campaign against it'

Pet poop one of the biggest complaints facing urban local election candidates

Councillor June Murphy (SD) said there’s still a ‘don’t get involved’ attitude toward domestic violence, especially in more rural areas where society is more tight-knit. Local election candidate calls for women’s refuge in Co Cork

Cllr June Murphy told council of her own experience of domestic abuse

Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin during the final Labour press event of the election campaign. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Labour and Greens hold talks on climate change co-operation

Micheál Martin says FF will not follow FG instruction in banning pacts with Sinn Féin

The primary school principal said he had no political affiliation. Principal defends sending letter to parents praising Fianna Fáil

‘In my 25 years, nobody from Fine Gael has ever called to the school or even phoned’

Labour’s Brian McDonagh said it was vital for democracy that sealed ballot boxes were witnessed being opened at local count centres. Photograph: Rui Vieira/PA Ballot papers being ‘shunted around’, say Fingal councillors

Politicians oppose plans for batch transportation procedures for votes on May 24th

Local candidates: what constitutes the massive workload of which they speak? Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill Kathy Sheridan: What is the point of county councillors?

Just 8.4% of funds flow through local government compared with Denmark’s 66%

Fine Gael general secretary Tom Curran with Tánaiste Simon Coveney. Mr Curran is sending a note to the chairs and whips of Fine Gael groups on every local authority outlining the policy. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill Fine Gael orders councillors not to work with Sinn Féin after elections

Party headquarters sends directive to local leaders urging them not to enter pacts

Wicklow County Council local election candidate list

Total of 62 candidates running in 32-seat constituency

The issue of Government spending has been one of main the topics of the local and European elections, with TDs from all parties reporting voter concern about projects such as the national children’s hospital and the National Broadband Plan. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times Fianna Fáil calls on watchdog to investigate big projects

Fine Gael accused of dishonesty over spending on big projects

Local election candidate Samantha Long canvasses with Senators Victor Boyhan (left) and Michael McDowell in Dartry, Dublin. Photograph: Laura Hutton Long is not short of Senators to help with her canvass

BusConnects, rural broadband and property tax are some of the issues that keep cropping up at Dublin doorsteps

Sinn Féin councillor Malachy Quinn and TD Louise O’Reilly talk to Siobhán Mulligan in Balbriggan. Photograph: Tom Honan The big issue of 2019’s local elections? ‘Housing, housing and housing’

On the canvass with six parties, climate change and broadband also dominate talk

Representatives from some of Ireland’s leading charities and The Wheel, outside Dublin City Council offices on Wood Quay. File photograph: Tom Honan Make sure your vote counts for Irish charities

Hundreds of local, European candidates have signed the Community Matters pledge

Local election candidate for the Skibbereen West Cork constituency Evie Nevin with Catherine Murphy TD. Photograph: Paul Sharp Call for grant scheme to help disabled local election candidates

Social Democrats launch disability manifesto as candidate highlights library inaccessibility

St Patrick’s Street in Cork. “Cork has amazing bone structure: the beautiful river, the harbour, the hills, the lovely architecture,” says Shane Clarke, chief executive of Nano Nagle Place. Photograph: Daragh McSweeney/Provision ‘Cork needs someone to stand up and beat their chest on its behalf’

Cork votes on Friday on whether it needs an elected mayor. Is it ready to make the decision?

When our political parties are asked about child poverty much is revealed in their answers What’s your policy on children? A party-by-party guide

In advance of next week’s local and European elections, we look at parties’ child poverty initiatives

The results of the upcoming elections will reverberate across the political landscape, potentially changing the course of politics and certainly leaving none of the parties unaffected. Photograph: Getty Images Pat Leahy: election results could make or break Varadkar and Martin

There are precedents of results in local and European elections signalling a transformation in Irish politics

Julia O’Reilly: wants one of Longford municipal district’s seven seats on May 24th. Photograph: Shelley Corcoran Traveller woman aims to win council seat and unite community

Mullingar-based married mother of two running as Independent in Longford

Dublin City Council local election candidate list

Total of 150 candidates running in 63-seat constituency

South Dublin County Council local candidate list

Total of 92 candidates running in 40-seat constituency

Laois County Council local election candidate list

Total of 39 candidates running in 19-seat constituency

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council local election candidate list

Total of 73 candidates running in 40-seat constituency

Mayo County Council local election candidate list

Total of 63 candidates running in 30-seat constituency

Roscommon County Council local election candidate list

Total of 33 candidates running in 18-seat constituency

Wexford County Council local election candidate list

Total of 67 candidates running in 34-seat constituency

Offaly County Council local election candidate list

Total of 36 candidates running in 19-seat constituency

Louth County Council local election candidate list

Total of 60 candidates running in 29-seat constituency

Sligo County Council local election candidate list

Total of 35 candidates running in 18-seat constituency

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and senior Ministers have for months been talking privately about the decline in support for Fine Gael in rural Ireland. Photograph: Laura Hutton FG reaches for beef and broadband as rural support slides

Analysis: Party aims to reverse dip in polls by showing concern for rural communities

The Aontú political party is ‘operating on fresh air’ but is already making a place for itself in Irish politics, its founder Peadar Tóibín TD has said. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill Aontú making a place for itself in Irish politics, says Tóibín

Ex-SF TD criticises former party for asking London to legislate on abortion

Kilkenny County Council local election candidate list

Total of 44 candidates running in 24-seat constituency

Kerry County Council local election candidate list

Total of 62 candidates running in 33-seat constituency

Galway County Council local election candidate list

Total of 78 candidates running in 39-seat constituency

Fingal County Council local election candidate list

Total of 89 candidates running in 40-seat constituency

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last week at press conference on broadband plan. Photograph: Tom Honan Varadkar upbeat as rural canvassers report support for broadband plan

With two weeks to elections timing of major spend in rural Ireland good for Fine Gael

‘This was an evening for the patrons of The Bridge Tavern, a pub I have drank in for 40 years,’ said Nial Ring. Photograph: Google Street View Lord Mayor invites pub patrons to Mansion House

Two weeks before elections 50 visitors enjoy ‘an evening of refreshments, food and music’

Donegal County Council local election candidate list

Total of 85 candidates running in 37-seat constituency

Cork County Council local election candidate list

Total of 107 candidates running in 55-seat constituency

AnnMarie Farrelly will hold the role until a permanent appointment is made by the Public Appointments Service. Fingal County Council appoints interim CEO

Paul Reid departed to become director general of the Health Service Executive

Westmeath County Council local election candidate list

Total of 49 candidates running in 20-seat constituency

Waterford City and County Council local election candidate list

Total of 66 candidates running in 32-seat constituency

Tipperary County Council local election candidate list

Total of 79 candidates running in 40-seat constituency

Monaghan County Council local candidate list

Total of 33 candidates running in 18-seat constituency

Meath County Council local election candidate list

Total of 78 candidates running in 40-seat constituency

Longford County Council local election candidate list

Total of 39 candidates running in 18-seat constituency

Limerick City and County Council local election candidate list

Total of 92 candidates running in 40-seat constituency

Leitrim County Council local election candidate list

Total of 32 candidates running in 18-seat constituency

Kildare County Council local election candidate list

Total of 90 candidates running in 40-seat constituency

Galway City Council local election candidate list

Total of 47 candidates running in 18-seat constituency

Cork City Council local election candidate list

Total of 82 candidates running in 31-seat constituency

Clare County Council local election candidate list

Total of 51 candidates running in 28-seat constituency

Cavan County Council local election candidate list

Total of 33 candidates running in 18-seat constituency

Carlow County Council local election candidate list

31 candidates running in 18-seat constituency

Cllr Duncan Smith (left) Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin and Cllr Dermot Lacey during the launch of The Labour Party’s manifesto for the local elections in Buswells Hotel, Dublin. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Greens and Labour may 'claw their way back' in upcoming local elections, poll data shows

Breakdown of latest Irish Times poll numbers indicates growing support for both parties in Dublin

Grace McManus “Representation is important. It’s not everything. I want to be there because I’m skilled and I have the knowledge and I have worked hard to be there.” Photograph: Nick Bradshaw The next generation of women running in the local elections

More than 500 female candidates are contesting the local elections, many of them under 35

Satisfaction with Leo Varadkar has fallen by seven points to 36%, the lowest level since he became Taoiseach in 2017. Irish Times poll: Support for Varadkar and Government plummets again

Gap in backing for Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil smallest in 2½ years while Sinn Féin also slips

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s satisfaction rating is down seven points to 36%. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill Irish Times view on the Ipsos MRBI opinion poll: voters deliver mixed messages

Bad news for Taoiseach Leo Varadkar whose personal satisfaction rating continues to fall

Aontú’s Peadar Tóibín. It helps that the party has a real vision for fairness in everything. Our country desperately needs an alternative to the establishment’s entitled stagnancy. Photograph: Cyril Byrne Pro-life votes in upcoming elections can lay groundwork for future progress

Voters who care about the right to life must send a message to smug pro-choice parties

Dublin Lord Mayor Nial Ring (right) with Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe at at Sean Foster Place, North King Street, Dublin 7 for the sod turning ceremony on a housing project. Photograph: Alan Betson Dublin mayor’s companies raised a lot of money but never struck gold

Court records show Nial Ring has been defendant in 16 sets of High Court proceedings since 2004

Lobby groups concerned by recent closures of prominent venues such as Dublin’s Tivoli Theatre have been calling for a night mayor for some time. Image: Google Street view The Irish Times view on ‘night mayors’: promoting life after dark

There is little overlap between the age demographic which sustains urban nightlife and those who regulate it

Fine Gael will run 405 candidates compared to 415 by Fianna Fáil. Can you vote? European and local elections registration deadline is today

Almost 2,000 candidates will contest 949 seats in 31 city and county councils

Ellie Kisyombe: ‘I’m delighted to have submitted my nomination forms to the DCC returning officer.’ File photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times. Social Democrats confirm Kisyombe as local election candidate

Candidate ‘confused’ by party statement after campaigning throughout review process

DUP leader Arlene Foster with Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O’Neill at the Lyra McKee funeral in Belfast last month. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Northern Ireland’s voters have sent politicians a clear message

A significant portion of the electorate is making a plea for a move from polarised to a more accommodating form of politics

The Alliance Party’s Nuala McAllister celebrates as she is elected for the Castle area during the local election count at Belfast City Hall. Photograph: Mark Marlow/PA DUP remains North’s largest party but Alliance makes big gains

Greens and People Before Profit also make gains in local elections

Ms Kisyombe will revise her campaign literature to properly reflect her history and circumstances and has also corrected the chronology of her back-story. Photograph Nick Bradshaw Ellie Kisyombe to run in elections after correcting backstory, party says

Kisyombe’s candidacy sparked controversy following backstory inconsistencies

Alison Bennington, the DUP’s first openly gay candidate, was elected on the sixth count to the Glengormley urban area of Newtownabbey Borough Council. Photograph: Dave Pettard/PA Wire May and Corbyn say big losses mean voters want them to deliver Brexit deal together

Conservatives lose more than 1,100 seats in local elections as Labour loses more than 100 seats

Counting under way in Belfast after voters went to the polls in local elections. Photograph: Rebecca Black/PA DUP and Sinn Féin still safely in pole political position in North

Election sucess takes pressure to change off parties as they face into talks on Tuesday

The DUP’s first openly gay candidate, Alison Bennington, celebrates after winning a seat at Newtownabbey Borough Council. Photograph: Dave Pettard/PA Wire Alliance set to make significant gains in North local elections

DUP’s first openly gay candidate elected to Newtownabbey Borough Council

Voters at the polling station at Newtownbreda Baptist Church in south Belfast. Photograph: Jonathan Porter/PressEye NI council election results due from Friday afternoon

Irreverent campaign asked people to vote all the way down the ballot in PR-STV election

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood at a rally for journalist Lyra McKee: Thursday’s elections will test hopes of a new beginning in Northern politics. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty Northern Ireland local elections: will voters follow a familiar pattern?

Talks designed to restore devolution set to begin next Tuesday after Thursday’s poll

Alison Bennington who generally shied away from interviews during the election campaign, said she was standing “based on what I can deliver” for voters, rather on her sexual orientation. Photograph: Facebook DUP defends its first openly gay candidate

Alison Bennington is party candidate for the Glengormley urban area of Newtownabbey Borough Council

Micheál Martin and Colum Eastwood speaking outside Queen’s University Belfast. Photograph: Michael McHugh/PA Sinn Féin not justified in quitting Executive over cash for ash scheme - FF leader

“Staying out does not work,” says Micheál Martin in Belfast

Brendan Howlin: he said his party’s candidates were standing because they wanted to solve the homelessness crisis, deal with climate change, and increase living standards Labour Party has 41% female gender quota for local and European elections

Party has launched 111 candidates for the local elections, and three candidates for the European elections

Minister for Culture Josepha Madigan: issue of night mayors has arisen in her meetings with the pubs and clubs sector. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw ‘Night mayors’ for towns and cities proposed in FG manifesto

Extended licensing hours for serving alcohol also considered as part of local election plan

Voter.ie is a new service from four Dublin local authorities which allows Dubliners to add their names to the Register of Electors. Photograph: Julien Behal/PA Wire New online voter registration available for Dubliners

Voters outside the capital must use manual process

Ireland has some of the most effective laws for limiting campaign expenditure in the western world, according to a senior Fianna Fáil figure. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times Election historian unapologetic in his defence of posters

Posters are an important part of our electoral and democratic process, says Kinsella

A proliferation of Local and European Election candidate posters on Parnell Road, alongside the Grand Canal, were pictured on Wednesday, the permitted time for putting up posters. Photograph: Alan Betson /The Irish Times Dublin City Council investigating early election posters

Politicians risk €150 fine per early election poster

Historically, the postal vote was the only option for people with disabilities. Official designated polling stations were not accessible. Photograph: iStock Travellers and people with disabilities must use their vote for change

The upcoming local and European elections are powerful platforms for the marginalised to make their voices heard

Castle Street, Dalkey, Co Dublin. Photograph: Cyril Byrne Dalkey Tidy Towns says it will ‘remove and destroy election posters’

Committee says message to local and European candidates had been ‘misunderstood’

Locals at a community meeting in Christ Church, Rathgar, in relation to the Bus Connects proposals. Photograph: James Forde Dublin Bus plans driving headlong into local election issue traffic

BusConnects reforms would create 230km of bus lanes along 16 traffic corridors

Local-election candidate: Lekha Menon Margassery, who is running as an Independent in Cork city. Photograph: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision The 29 non-locals running in the local elections

We need to establish why more immigrants don’t participate in politics, says one candidate

A new Immigrant Council report warns of low voter participation among migrant communities and a lack of diverse voices in the upcoming local elections. Photograph: Julien Behal/PA Wire Numbers of migrants participating in Irish politics ‘woefully low’

Councillor-migrant internship scheme seeks to encourage greater migrant involvement

Peadar Tóibín, leader of Aontú Debate over ‘sustainable’ immigration needed, says Tóibín

More than 300 attend national launch of Aontú party in Ballyfermot

Instagram: photographs posted by Michael Healy-Rae, Leo Varadkar (with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry), Niamh Smyth and Simon Harris Big smiles, cute pups: Meet Ireland’s Insta-politicians

Instagram helps politicians present a more rounded image. How are they getting on?

Máiría Cahill said there are “concerns around my safety” and that there is a “court order in place in order to try and protect myself and my daughter”. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire Máiría Cahill forced to pull out of local elections in the North

Local government legislation does not allow SDLP councillor to stand without publishing her address

Paschal Donohoe: “We need to get ready for an election, but I don’t see an election for quite a while yet.” Local Property Tax increase to be deferred, Donohoe says

Minister denies deferral was in response to fears of ‘people in south County Dublin’

The report is said to outline a number of proposed options for dealing with the tax, from cutting the rate to widening the bands. A fifth of homes could face higher property tax - new report

Changes to Local Property Tax have been deferred for one year

The Greens are running 100 candidates North and South in the local elections – a springboard, says leader Eamon Ryan, to a general election he expects in September/October. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times Pat Leahy: Why has climate change not benefited the Greens?

Despite all the handwringing, Irish voters are oddly reluctant to back Green initiatives

File photograph: iStock Lower-income families could get €2,400 tax refund under Fine Gael election plan

Revenue would give unused tax credits back to those earning below €16,500 in the policy

Solidarity TD Mick Barry told the Dáil a Government that allowed 3,784 children to be among the more than 10,000 people who are homeless ‘does not deserve to remain in power’. File photograph: Collins Government and FF should be ‘hammered’ in local elections over homelessness

Calls for Bill to be passed banning sale of property as grounds for eviction

Becky Loftus Dore: she cautions people against choosing surrogacy in Ireland unless a family member or close friend has agreed to be the surrogate Local election candidate tells of becoming surrogate for her friends

‘This journey has been so different to any of my own. My husband and I aren’t sitting in bed talking about names’