Louth's Sheridan welcomes recommendations that Mid-Louth be kept together

Following the release of the Electoral Commission's report last week which recommended changes to some constituencies, including Louth and East Meath, the Dundalk Democrat contacted political parties in Louth to learn what views they have on the potential move of the Julianstown Electoral District (ED) to Meath East and what impact it might have on their vote in Louth.

Fianna Fáil director of elections for Louth in the last general election, Cllr John Sheridan, shared some thoughts on the Electoral Commission's recommendations:

“I obviously can’t speak for Fianna Fáil locally or nationally, but as councillor for Mid-Louth, I do welcome all of Mid-Louth being kept together.

“There was a fear during the summer that Mid-Louth could get split up by the Commission into two separate North and South Louth constituencies. Thankfully that didn’t happen.”

The Ardee councillor continued: “The impact of 14 new seats nationally is that the new Louth Constituency remains five seats but has a reduced area and population. Bettystown and Laytown move into the Meath East constituency from Louth, but 16,000 people immediately south of Drogheda in Meath remain in the Louth constituency.

“This isn’t surprising given the high profile campaign to ensure Drogheda was kept in the same constituency and not divided by the county boundary.

“My personal sense of what could well happen is that the balance may shift back towards Dundalk and the north of the constituency as the 2020 election was the first time three TDs were elected from the south of the constituency.

“In 2020 there were just over 4,000 votes cast in the portion that has been moved. However this could well be evened out with the significant new housing developments being build in Drogheda.

“Having looked at the tallies with Senator Erin McGreehan and other colleagues there's minor shifts for all parties with this change but still lots of time for all parties and candidates to adjust to the new boundaries.

“The immediate priority for all parties will be the local elections in June 2024 with the general election due before spring 2025.”