Dublin Central and Galway West byelections live: campaigns step up as polling nears

Ireland’s Dublin Central and Galway West byelections enter their final stretch ahead of Friday’s polling, which runs from 7am to 10pm. With multiple candidates in both constituencies, transfers are expected to play a decisive role in determining the winners. Counting begins Saturday morning, with results anticipated by early evening. Fine Gael has prioritized its campaign in Galway West, where Seán Kyne is competing for the seat. The party’s efforts come as polls suggest Fine Gael, Independent Ireland, and Labour are the strongest contenders. Meanwhile, Sinn Féin is concentrating on Dublin Central, where Janice Boylan leads in the polls but faces a challenge from Social Democrat Daniel Ennis, who has threatened legal action over alleged malicious posts on X. Immigration, cost of living, and housing costs dominate voter concerns in Dublin Central, according to *The Irish Times* polling. Immigration ranks third, cited by 12% of voters, while cost of living (33%) and house prices (24%) top the list. Health, the economy, and law and order trail behind as key issues. The final days of campaigning see candidates intensify efforts, with every preference vote critical due to the crowded fields. In Dublin Central, Sinn Féin and Fine Gael canvassers encountered mixed weather, including rain and wind, as they push for support. Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s controversial comments on immigration, secretly recorded during a Fianna Fáil canvass, have also drawn attention. With margins between success and failure likely to be narrow, parties are focusing on securing transfers to secure victory. The outcome will hinge on voter preferences and how second-choice votes distribute among candidates.