Fine Gael leads the race for South Tipperary seat

Fine Gael’s candidate is favourite to claim the seat in the upcoming South Tipperary by-election, a TG4/MRBI poll revealed this evening.

Fine Gael Senator Tom Hayes

Senator Tom Hayes has increased his share of first preference votes to 33 per cent closely followed by Cllr Phil Prendergast of the Workers and Unemployed Action Group on 28 per cent. Fine Gael has increased its share of the vote by 6 per cent while the WUAG have dropped 3 points compared with the 2000 by-election.

Fiánna Fail Cllr Michael Maguire is stalled on 23 per cent of the vote - the same share the party achieved in 2000.

Labour Party candidate, Mr Denis Landy is struggling on 16 per cent of the vote and the party’s vote is marginally down by 1 per cent on last year.

According to a MRBI analysis of second preference votes Senator Hayes’ lead over Ms Prendergast will be marginally increased following the elimination of Mr Landy - ". . .leaving Hayes positioned to take the seat following the elimination of Maguire".

The poll identified healthcare as one of the key issues in the constituency and 59 per cent of those surveyed indicated it was a concern.Unemployment and jobs was the second priority while in third place 22 per cent of voterssaid roads was their most pressing issue.

Crime was also a concern although mostly among younger, working class voters while education was ranked fifth in voter concerns.

The survey of 400 male and female voters from all age groups and proportionally spread between rural and urban areas of the constituency was conducted between June 19th and 24th.

Fine Gael's director of elections Mr Charles Flanagan said the results were very encouraging.

The South Tipperary by-election was called following the death last September of the sitting Fine Gael TD, Ms Theresa Ahearn. Polling will take place on Saturday June 30thwith counting beginning the following day and a result expected on Sunday evening.