25 minutes agoGood morning - it’s count day in Galway West and Dublin Central. Out west, the final estimated turnout when polls closed was approximately 44.28 per cent, compared to 52.27 per cent in the 2024 General Election.Voter turnout had risen to 59 per cent in Moycullen but was at its lowest ad 36 per cent in Renmore.In Clifden 42 per cent of voters cast their ballot, with 50 per cent voting in Spiddal, 47 per cent in Oranmore, 46 per cent in Knocknacarra and 46 per cent in Carraroe.Some 43 per cent of voters in Claregalway cast their ballot and 39 per cent on the Aran Islands.For the first time, voters on the islands got to cast their ballot on the same day as on the mainland. Previously, because of concerns about the weather, they voted two to three days earlier.Fine Gael's candidate in the Galway West byelection, Seán Kyne, on the campaign trail on Inis Oírr. Photograph: Enda O'Dowd/The Irish Times 13 minutes agoThere are 17 candidates in Galway West to succeed former Independent TD and now president Catherine Connolly. The two perceived front-runners – Senator and former TD Seán Kyne of Fine Gael and Independent Ireland councillor Noel Thomas – campaigned on opposite ends of the constituency: the Wild Atlantic Way and Oranmore, respectively.Fine Gael winning the seat would buck the trend of Government parties faring poorly in byelections.It is more than two weeks since The Irish Times/TG4 Ipsos B&A poll that had Kyne in the lead, followed by Thomas, with Labour councillor Helen Ogbu leading the pack of left-wing candidates ahead of Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich of the Social Democrats and Sinn Féin’s Mark Lohan.On the evidence of the recent opinion polls, Fianna Fáil’s Cllr Cillian Keane appears to be faring better than his party colleague Cllr John Stephens in Dublin Central, but both face an uphill battle. Independents in the race in Galway West include mayor of Galway Mike Cubbard.Independent Noel Thomas canvasing on Eyre Square. Photograph: Alan Betson / The Irish Times