| Limerick East | |
| Type: | Dáil |
| Year: | 1948 |
| Abolished: | 2011 |
| Map Entity: | Ireland |
| Map Size: | 200px |
| Local Council Label: | Local government areas |
| Previous: | Limerick |
Limerick East was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1948 to 2011. The method of election was proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (PR-STV).
The constituency was created under the Electoral (Amendment) Act 1947 and first used at the 1948 general election. It succeeded the constituency of Limerick, which was divided between Limerick East and Limerick West.
At its abolition, it encompassed the whole of Limerick City, together with the Castleconnell electoral area part of the Bruff electoral area of County Limerick and the Ballyglass electoral division in County Clare.
The constituency elected 4 deputies (Teachtaí Dála, commonly known as TDs) from 1948 to 1981, and 5 deputies from 1981 to 2011.
While support for left-wing parties has usually been strong in the city of Limerick, the constituency also elected at least one Progressive Democrats TD in all general elections from 1987 until 2007.
The Constituency Commission published its final recommendations on 23 October 2007.[1] As a result of population decline, Limerick East was replaced by a 4-seat Limerick City constituency at the 2011 general election. Most of the rural parts of Limerick East were transferred to the new Limerick constituency.[2]
| + Changes to the Limerick East constituency 1948–2011 | ||||
| Years | TDs | Boundaries | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948–1961 | 4 | The county borough of Limerick, and that part of County Limerick not in Limerick West | Created from Limerick. | |
| 1961–1969 | 4 | The county borough of Limerick,[3] and | ||
| 1969–1981 | 4 | The county borough of Limerick,[4] [5] | ||
| 1981–1992 | 5 | The county borough of Limerick,[6] [7] | Transfer of Ballycummin from Limerick West.[8] | |
| 1992–2002 | 5 | The county borough of Limerick,[9] [10] | Transfer of territory from Clare[11] [12] | |
| 2002–2007 | 5 | The city of Limerick,[13] | Transfer of Croom area to Limerick West[14] | |
| 2007–2011 | 5 | The city of Limerick,[15] | ||
| 2011 | — | Constituency abolished | Greater part of constituency renamed as Limerick City,[16] |
Following the death of Labour Party TD Jim Kemmy, a by-election was held on 11 March 1998. The seat was won by the Labour Party candidate Jan O'Sullivan.
Following the death of Fianna Fáil TD Donogh O'Malley, a by-election was held on 22 May 1968. The seat was won by the Fianna Fáil candidate Desmond O'Malley, nephew of the deceased TD.
Following the death of Fianna Fáil TD Daniel Bourke, a by-election was held on 26 June 1952. The seat was won by the Fine Gael candidate John Carew.