Courts / Kerry / Report
Failed GE candidate wants result in Kerry set aside over alleged 'torn out' ballots
Summary
Michelle Keane, an unsuccessful Independent candidate in the Kerry General Election, appeared before the High Court to seek the setting aside of the election result. She alleged that she witnessed ballot papers being torn from boxes at a polling station on November 29, 2024, and requested access to the marked register of electors under the Electoral Act 1992. Mr Justice Garret Simons noted that any petition against an election should have been initiated within 28 days of polling day, which had passed. He reserved his judgment until Tuesday. Separately, regarding a distinct matter, Ms Keane was jailed at Listowel Circuit Civil Court on December 11 for refusing to comply with an injunction order prohibiting her from posting online about Listowel Garda Sergeant Melanie Walsh. This followed a July order from Ennis Circuit Civil Court requiring the removal of such posts. Although Ms Keane submitted an affidavit claiming she was not in breach, the court found otherwise. She was subsequently released by Killarney Circuit Civil Court on December 13 after signing an undertaking to desist from making further online statements about the sergeant.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Failed GE candidate wants result in Kerry set aside over alleged 'torn out' ballots. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 29, 2024 Incident
- December 11 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 28 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 13 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-03-07 Publication
Why: She told Mr Justice Simons that people had told her they had voted for her and she "needed the marked register to cross check" the election because "people have a right to know where their vote went". CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Outcome: On December 11, Ms Keane was jailed at Listowel Circuit Civil Court for refusing to comply with an injunction order that she not post online about Listowel Garda Sergeant Melanie Walsh.
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