ⓒ The Irish Times
Waterford’s 2024 general election delivered a decisive victory for Sinn Féin’s David Cullinane, securing his seat on the first count with a commanding lead. The count, held at the Waterford count centre, a key bellwether constituency, saw intense competition for the remaining seats. A second Sinn Féin TD is now a strong possibility, with Conor McGuinness vying for the fourth seat.
The count was temporarily suspended, resuming Sunday morning. Independent TD Matt Shanahan acknowledged a significant deficit against McGuinness, expressing concerns about closing the gap. Shanahan also criticized other parties for their reactions to his election advertisement displayed near a hospital.
Labour’s Sadhbh O’Neill, in her first Waterford election, expressed satisfaction with her performance, despite climate change being a largely ignored issue during the campaign. She voiced concern about the lack of detailed discussion on climate action plans among the major parties.
The transfer of votes proved crucial. Cullinane’s surplus votes significantly boosted McGuinness’s total, widening the margin against Shanahan. While the final seat remains contested, McGuinness’s strong showing and geographic advantage in West Waterford, combined with potential support from the left, position him favorably.
The Green Party’s Marc O’Cathasaigh lost his seat, attributing this to negative campaigning and persistent mischaracterizations of the party’s stance, particularly on rural issues. He highlighted the party’s successes in government while acknowledging communication shortcomings.
Initial tallies suggested strong showings for Fine Gael’s John Cummins and Fianna Fáil’s Mary Butler, securing the second and third seats respectively. The race for the fourth and final seat remains highly competitive, with McGuinness and Shanahan as the frontrunners, although the Social Democrats’ Mary Roche could play a kingmaker role.
