Wexford Election 2024: Who are the candidates and who could make gains? Everything you need to know before voting

A couple of heavy hitters are bringing the curtain down on their decades-long political careers – former Labour leader Brendan Howlin and former Fine Gael Chief Whip Paul Kehoe – but they are hopeful to have found their replacements to retain a seat each for their parties.

Regardless though, and not discounting other emerging candidates, five into four does not go and someone, political party or individual, is going to miss out.

Current TDs Johnny Mythen (SF), Brendan Howlin (LAB), Verona Murphy (IND), James Browne (FF), Paul Kehoe (FG)

Who could make gains here? There's an element of the unknown in this new four-seater. Independent TD Verona Murphy has been steadily building her public profile since the election in 2020, something that was considerably bolstered by the creation of her Wexford Independent Alliance. It saw her travel the length and breadth of the county in advance of the local elections with 12 "like minded independents" running under her banner, five of whom took seats on Wexford County Council.

One of Deputy Murphy's Independent Alliance candidates, former FIFA assistant ref Michelle O'Neill, caused a stir locally after she announced that she would be running against her former mentor as a Fianna Fáil candidate just months after the local elections. It started a domino effect, which resulted in veteran Fianna Fáil councillor for New Ross Michael Sheehan parting ways with the party he's represented for nearly 30 years, announcing he'll be running as an independent having been snubbed by the party as a running mate for Minister of State James Browne.

Sinn Féin swept the boards on the last occasion, Johnny Mythen pulling in a record-breaking first preference vote. However, there are major doubts as to whether he can repeat the same again as a perceived lack of visibility and assorted scandals which have rocked the party nationally in recent weeks may take their toll.

Given their relative geographic proximity, Fine Gael's decision to run both Cathal Byrne and Bridín Murphy this time out can be seen as brave or reckless, depending on who you ask. With Paul Kehoe one of many veteran Fine Gael TDs to leave the fray, the party will be desperate for at least one of their candidates to hit the mark.

While former party leader Brendan Howlin will naturally be a huge loss to the Labour Party, they will feel like they have a ready-made successor in current Mayor of Wexford and serial local election poll-topper George Lawlor who will hope to see off the challenge of Michelle O'Neill and Aontú candidate from the Rosslare District Cllr Jim Codd to lock down the majority of Wexford town boxes.

The major unknown that has tongues wagging in Wexford remains whether Mick Wallace will return to stake a claim for a seat, having lost out in the European elections this summer.

Are there any boundary changes that could be crucial? The creation of a new South Wicklow/North Wexford three-seat constituency will have a major impact. With everything north of Enniscorthy now in the new three-seat constituency, it poses a problem for Enniscorthy-based candidates such as James Browne, Cathal Byrne and to a lesser extent Johnny Mythen. All are likely to have seen some votes lost to the new boundary. It also serves to create a dog-fight in the south as candidates battle it out for one of the four-seats in the Wexford constituency.

What issues are under the spotlight? The provision of social and affordable housing continues to be a major issue. Wexford will not be alone in this regard. While perhaps not to the same extent as other counties, there are also concerns bubbling beneath the surface around immigration.

People will also have a very keen eye on Wexford General Hospital and the delivery of a new 97 bed ward block extension, which has been approved, but has no completion date.

Crime and anti-social behaviour are issues that raise their heads frequently, particularly in the county town. A string of unsavoury incidents over the past couple of years has resulted in calls for increased garda resources and a different way of dealing with repeat offenders.

Another issue which is likely to be of major concern to the people of this constituency is the delivery of the long-awaited M11 Oylegate to Rosslare Harbour motorway, a project that has been plagued with delays, as well as the Enniscorthy Flood Relief Scheme and issue which has dragged on through successive governments. There are also those who will be keen to see continued development at Rosslare Europort.

James Browne, Fianna Fáil*

Johnny Mythen, Sinn Féin*

Cathal Byrne, Fine Gael

George Lawlor, Labour

Verona Murphy, Independent*

Bridín Murphy, Fine Gael

Jim Codd, Aontú

Stephen Power, National Alliance

Michelle O'Neill, Fianna Fáil

Michael Sheehan, Independent

Peadar McDonald - Green Party

Jason Murphy – The National Party