Dublin Central By-Election: Anti-Immigration Candidates Secure 20% First Preferences
About one-fifth of Dublin Central voters supported anti-immigration candidates in the recent by-election, securing over 20% of first preferences. While some politicians downplayed immigration's impact, others noted its growing importance, especially among middle-class constituents. The area faces integration challenges due to concentrated emergency accommodation.
Approximately one-fifth of Dublin Central voters gave first preferences to candidates campaigning with anti-immigration rhetoric. However, political parties held divided opinions on the issue's significance.
Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon, whose party colleague Daniel Ennis won the by-election, stated immigration was not a major concern during his campaign, suggesting it was more prominent in the 2024 European and local elections. He noted that votes for Gerry Hutch and Malachy Steenson, who combined for over 20% of first preferences, were still a «substantial minority» compared to the elected candidate who supported migrants.
Labour's Marie Sherlock, who secured the final Dáil seat in 2024, observed a «considerable amount» of discussion on immigration, noting a shift since 2022 where more middle-class constituents, particularly men, expressed strong views. Niall Leahy of the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice highlighted that the north inner city is «under resourced» and under pressure to integrate migrants due to an overconcentration of emergency accommodation.
Veteran criminal Gerry Hutch, advocating for the internment of «illegal immigrants,» received 11.3% of first-choice votes, placing fourth. This was an increase from his 9.5% in the 2024 general election, despite a lower by-election turnout (43% vs. 52%). Independent councillor Malachy Steenson, a leader of 2022 East Wall asylum seeker protests, nearly doubled his first preference share from 4.9% to 9.4%. Steenson, who transferred heavily to Hutch, centered his campaign on «interlinked» issues of immigration, housing, and cost of living.
An Irish Times/TG4/Ipsos B&A poll indicated these three were the most important issues for Dublin Central voters, with immigration being the top concern for 12%.