Attorney General Hugh Kennedy elected TD in Dublin by-election
Dublin 26 October 1923 - The Free State’s Attorney General, Mr. Hugh Kennedy, K.C., has been returned as a TD for Cumann na mGaedhael at the South Dublin by-election, defeating his anti-treaty republican rival, Mr. Michael O’Mullane yesterday.
The result was not a surprise, at least to Mr. Kennedy’s campaign team, the chief organiser of which, Mr. P.J. Ryan had predicted that his candidate would secure a ‘smashing victory.’ Mr. Ryan told reporters that the Kennedy campaign had principally been focussed on house to house canvassing so they had a good handle on the mood of the electorate. Against that, anti-treaty party organisers had likewise expressed confidence in Mr. O’Mullane’s prospects.
The delay in this by-election, which comes less than two months after the general election, was caused by the untimely death of Mr. Philip Cosgrave TD, elder brother of the President of the Executive Council, Mr. W.T. Cosgrave.
On the eve of the poll, President Cosgrave wrote a message to Mr. Kennedy that was published in the newspaper that morning.In that message, President Cosgrave described the Oireachtas as the ‘people’s Parliament ’, whose members ought to be the ‘cream of public representation.’ President Cosgrave continued: ‘We are, under difficulties, engaged in the great work of nation-building, and we want your help.’ ‘It is in the power of the people of Dublin at this juncture to render the greatest service in their power by returning you. I have confidence they will do so, and I can only hope it will be by a substantial majority.’
The people did - as President Cosgrave hoped they would - return Mr. Kennedy to the Dáil, but not with any great enthusiasm, as a striking feature of this by-election was the low turn-out. Approximately 40% of those entitled to vote did, though the proximity of this poll to the recent general election may well have been a factor. Among those who did turn out was president Cosgrave, who voted early on School Street, and Madame Markievizc.
Members of the Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) - there was no army presence - attended all the polling stations, including one on Donore Avenue where a woman was arrested for alleged personation. This, however, was an isolated incident on an otherwise uneventful day. Up until mid afternoon, a large majority of the votes cast were by female voters, but this changed in the evening. The busiest period at the polling booth was between 7pm and 8pm when male voters were very much in the majority.
In another loss to Irish political life, the death has also been recently reported of trade unionist and Labour Senator, Thomas McPartland. He was 44 years-old.
Dublin South By-Election Women Voters (Image:Irish Independent 26, October,1923)
[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]
