Donegal South-West was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas, from 1961 to 1969 and from 1981 to 2016. The constituency elected 3 deputies (Teachtaí Dála, commonly known as TDs). The method of election was proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (PR-STV).

History and boundaries

The constituency was first created for the 1961 general election. At the 1969 general election it was abolished and largely succeeded by the Donegal–Leitrim constituency. It was recreated for the 1981 general election. It was located in the southern and western parts of County Donegal, it included the towns of Lifford, Donegal, Ballyshannon, Killybegs and Gweedore. It was abolished again at the 2016 general election, and was succeeded by the Donegal constituency. The Electoral (Amendment) Act 2009 defined the constituency as:

TDs

TDs 1961–1969

TDs 1981–2016

Elections

2011 general election

2010 by-election

On 5 June 2009, Fianna Fáil TD Pat "the Cope" Gallagher was elected to the European Parliament, vacating his seat in the Dáil. On 2 July 2009, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (SF) proposed that the writ of election be issued to fill the vacancy. This motion was rejected by a vote of 69 to 72. On 5 May 2010, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin proposed again that the writ be issued. This motion was died, with 76 to 76, and was defeated on the casting vote of the Ceann Comhairle. On 12 July 2010, Pearse Doherty, a Sinn Féin senator, was granted leave to bring judicial review against the government seeking a declaration that due to the length of the vacancy in Donegal South-West, the government was under a duty not to oppose a motion for a writ. On 29 September 2010, Enda Kenny, leader of Fine Gael, proposed that the writ of election be issued (as well as the writ for two other vacancies). This motion was rejected by a vote of 77 to 81. On 3 November 2010, Nicholas Kearns, president of the High Court, made a declaration that there has been an unreasonable delay in moving the writ for the by-election in Donegal South-West. The writ was moved the following day. Doherty was successful in the by-election.

2007 general election

2002 general election

1997 general election

1992 general election

1989 general election

1987 general election

1983 by-election

Fianna Fáil TD Clement Coughlan died on 1 February 1983. On 19 April 1983, the writ of election to fill the vacancy was issued. The by-election was held on 13 May 1983. The seat was won by the Fianna Fáil candidate Cathal Coughlan, brother of the deceased TD. Cathal Coughlan died on 21 June 1986. On 22 October 1986, a motion to issue the writ was rejected by a vote of 81 to 82.

November 1982 general election

February 1982 general election

1981 general election

1965 general election

1961 general election