Fine Gael Faces Backlash Over Election Loss in Limerick

URGENT UPDATE: Fine Gael is facing intense criticism from its local members in Limerick following a devastating defeat in the presidential election on October 14, 2023. Former TDs and party stalwarts have voiced their frustrations over the party’s handling of its campaign and candidate selection, marking a pivotal moment for the party.

In a surprising twist, Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys conceded to Catherine Connolly, who won a staggering 914,143 votes nationally compared to Humphreys’ 424,987 votes. Connolly dominated in Limerick, securing 57.91 percent of the county vote with 16,520 votes, while Humphreys trailed with just 35 percent at 9,987 votes.

A long-standing Fine Gael official from Limerick bluntly stated, “Look, we f**ked up,” highlighting the deep unrest within the party ranks. Former Limerick TD Michael Finucane expressed his dismay, claiming that the leadership made a “cardinal mistake” by nominating Humphreys and sidelining grassroots input. Finucane lamented, “I’m very annoyed and very cross because I do believe they picked the wrong candidate.”

The election results revealed a significant shift in voter sentiment with Fine Gael capturing only around 30 percent of the vote, starkly indicating a political “sea change” towards leftist candidates. In Limerick, there were also 8,332 spoiled votes out of a total turnout of 63,825 voters, emphasizing voter dissatisfaction.

Party member Jim O’Farrell echoed Finucane’s sentiments, stating he would have voted for Sean Kelly had he been given a chance, calling for urgent reforms in the party’s candidate nomination process. Meanwhile, Limerick Fine Gael TD and Communications Minister Patrick O’Donovan defended the party’s approach, asserting, “I wouldn’t say it was a colossal failure of Fine Gael.” He noted that Fine Gael was the only party contesting the election, while Connolly benefitted from support from six different parties.

Despite the backlash, O’Donovan acknowledged the need for a review of the campaign management. “We’ll always examine results of elections,” he confirmed, indicating potential changes ahead for the party structure.

As Fine Gael grapples with internal dissent and evolving voter dynamics, the implications of this election loss could resonate well beyond Limerick, marking a critical juncture for the party’s future. Observers are keenly watching how leadership responds to the grassroots demands for change and whether they can regain voter trust in upcoming elections.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.