Revealed: Which Kerry councillors spent the most and least on their campaigns?

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

Figures released by Kerry County Council show successful council candidates spent a total of over €166,000 during the 2024 Local Elections.

One story that jumps out from the figures is Councillor Podge Foley’s remarkable first campaign during which he spent the least out of any successful candidates.

The independent councillor from Killorglin spent just €885 during his entire campaign, nearly one third of Kenmare Municipal District’s (MD) next lowest candidate.

While the election saw 77 candidates whittled down to 33 countywide, Kenmare was the most competitive in terms of the number of candidates per seat.

Cllr Foley has been closely involved with community life for over 25 years but this has intensified over the last decade.

He’s been heavily involved in voluntary work, coaching Laune Rangers GAA and ladies football, as well as being chairperson of the local Tidy Towns committee.

“I’ve just been doing what I’ve always done for Killorglin,” said Cllr Foley.

“I can’t describe how much I love the town and the community, and mid-Kerry…I can’t describe what an honour it is for me to be elected.”

“My whole life is dedicated to my community, going into politics was just another step up. It’s going to be tough for me to get in again because I’ve been asked by a couple of parties to join but I’m not going to.”

“I’m not loyal to any party, my voice is my own, and my party is my community…I do what I can do, that’s going to be positive for this community, and after that I don’t care.”

The biggest spenders were first time Listowel MD candidates Councillor Liam Nolan at €13,408 and Councillor Michael Leane at €9,756. The majority of these resources came from his own resources as did Cllr Nolan's.

Killarney Councillor Maura Healy-Rae was third highest at €9,029, followed by the now Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill who spent €8,374 on his campaign.

Other councillors who had low campaign expenditures, under €1,100, were Fine Gael Councillor Bobby O’Connell and Sinn Féin Councillors Tom Barry and Deirdre Ferris.

In fact, successful Sinn Féin candidates spent on average €1,665, nearly half the next lowest party, Fine Gael, who spent €3,114 per successful candidate.

Councillor Tom Barry put much of the difference down to Sinn Féin’s election strategy, where candidates split up the MD, running smaller, more localised campaigns.

While Cllr Barry was successfully elected, Sinn Féin’s two other Listowel MD candidates, Marion Falvey O’Sullivan and Thomas Harrington, were unable to capture enough votes.

It was Kerry Independent Alliance that spent the most per candidate, fielding only Councillor John O’Donoghue who spent €7,536 during his campaign.

Successful independent candidates spent on average €5,781, followed by Fianna Fáil’s on €5,360.

Campaigns for Killarney Municipal District (MD) had the largest expenditures per MD at €47,147, followed by Listowel at €35,659 and Castleisland at €34,458.

Tralee campaigns were collectively under half the price of Killarney’s, totalling just €20,513, the lowest of any MD. Both Tralee and Killarney had the same number of candidates vying for the same number of seats.

This article was amended at 11.15am on February 13 to correct expenses related to Cllr Michael Leane