If Sean Kyne wins Galway west it will be 'victory for centrist politics', Tanaiste Simon Harris says

Fine Gael’s Sean Kyne is closing in on Independent Ireland’s Noel Thomas in the Galway West by-election after Fianna Fáil transfers reduced the vote gap by 325. Thomas led with 10,007 first-preference votes, while Kyne had 9,647, but transfers from eliminated Fianna Fáil councillor Cillian Keane (5,154 votes) shifted momentum. Tanaiste Simon Harris framed a Kyne win as a 'victory for centrist politics,' noting government parties rarely win by-elections. 'People chose the politics of building solutions over anger,' he said, praising Kyne’s campaign and Fine Gael’s organization. Social Democrats’ Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich and Labour’s Helen Ogbu are projected to leapfrog Kyne, but transfers from Keane and Ogbu could swing the race. Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins acknowledged transfers would be decisive, with Fianna Fáil and Labour votes likely favoring Kyne. Fine Gael’s election director, Minister Peter Burke, called the campaign 'strong,' highlighting that more voters backed Fine Gael than any other party in both by-elections. Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns celebrated their near-doubled vote share, calling the results 'monumental.' With transfers still unfolding, the outcome hinges on how eliminated candidates’ votes distribute. Kyne’s lead remains fragile, but centrist messaging and cross-party support could secure Fine Gael’s first by-election win in years.