# Limerick East (Dáil constituency)

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).

## History and boundaries

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. 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.
* Limerick East – Constituency boundaries
* 1948–1961
* 1961–1969
* 1969–1981
* 1981–2011

## TDs

Teachtaí Dála (TDs) for Limerick East 1948–2011 :
| Key to parties  DSP = Democratic Socialist  FF = Fianna Fáil  FG = Fine Gael  Ind = Independent  Lab = Labour  PDs = Progressive Democrats ||||||||||||
| Dáil | Election | Deputy (Party) | Deputy (Party) | Deputy (Party) | Deputy (Party) | Deputy (Party) | Deputy (Party) | Deputy (Party) | Deputy (Party) | Deputy (Party) | Deputy (Party) |
| 13th | 1948 | | Michael Keyes (Lab) | | Robert Ryan (FF) | | James Reidy (FG) | | Daniel Bourke (FF) | 4 seats 1948–1981 | 4 seats 1948–1981 |
| 14th | 1951 | | Michael Keyes (Lab) | | Tadhg Crowley (FF) | | James Reidy (FG) | | Daniel Bourke (FF) | 4 seats 1948–1981 | 4 seats 1948–1981 |
| 14th | 1952 by-election | | Michael Keyes (Lab) | | Tadhg Crowley (FF) | | James Reidy (FG) | | John Carew (FG) | 4 seats 1948–1981 | 4 seats 1948–1981 |
| 15th | 1954 | | Michael Keyes (Lab) | | Tadhg Crowley (FF) | | Donogh O'Malley (FF) | | John Carew (FG) | 4 seats 1948–1981 | 4 seats 1948–1981 |
| 16th | 1957 | | Ted Russell (Ind) | | Paddy Clohessy (FF) | | Donogh O'Malley (FF) | | John Carew (FG) | 4 seats 1948–1981 | 4 seats 1948–1981 |
| 17th | 1961 | | Stephen Coughlan (Lab) | | Paddy Clohessy (FF) | | Donogh O'Malley (FF) | | Tom O'Donnell (FG) | 4 seats 1948–1981 | 4 seats 1948–1981 |
| 18th | 1965 | | Stephen Coughlan (Lab) | | Paddy Clohessy (FF) | | Donogh O'Malley (FF) | | Tom O'Donnell (FG) | 4 seats 1948–1981 | 4 seats 1948–1981 |
| 18th | 1968 by-election | | Stephen Coughlan (Lab) | | Paddy Clohessy (FF) | | Desmond O'Malley (FF) | | Tom O'Donnell (FG) | 4 seats 1948–1981 | 4 seats 1948–1981 |
| 19th | 1969 | | Stephen Coughlan (Lab) | | Michael Herbert (FF) | | Desmond O'Malley (FF) | | Tom O'Donnell (FG) | 4 seats 1948–1981 | 4 seats 1948–1981 |
| 20th | 1973 | | Stephen Coughlan (Lab) | | Michael Herbert (FF) | | Desmond O'Malley (FF) | | Tom O'Donnell (FG) | 4 seats 1948–1981 | 4 seats 1948–1981 |
| 21st | 1977 | | Michael Lipper (Ind) | | Michael Herbert (FF) | | Desmond O'Malley (FF) | | Tom O'Donnell (FG) | 4 seats 1948–1981 | 4 seats 1948–1981 |
| 22nd | 1981 | | Jim Kemmy (Ind) | | Peadar Clohessy (FF) | | Desmond O'Malley (FF) | | Tom O'Donnell (FG) | | Michael Noonan (FG) |
| 23rd | 1982 (Feb) | | Jim Kemmy (DSP) | | Willie O'Dea (FF) | | Desmond O'Malley (FF) | | Tom O'Donnell (FG) | | Michael Noonan (FG) |
| 24th | 1982 (Nov) | | Frank Prendergast (Lab) | | Willie O'Dea (FF) | | Desmond O'Malley (FF) | | Tom O'Donnell (FG) | | Michael Noonan (FG) |
| 25th | 1987 | | Jim Kemmy (DSP) | | Willie O'Dea (FF) | | Desmond O'Malley (PDs) | | Peadar Clohessy (PDs) | | Michael Noonan (FG) |
| 26th | 1989 | | Jim Kemmy (DSP) | | Willie O'Dea (FF) | | Desmond O'Malley (PDs) | | Peadar Clohessy (PDs) | | Michael Noonan (FG) |
| 27th | 1992 | | Jim Kemmy (Lab) | | Willie O'Dea (FF) | | Desmond O'Malley (PDs) | | Peadar Clohessy (PDs) | | Michael Noonan (FG) |
| 28th | 1997 | | Jim Kemmy (Lab) | | Willie O'Dea (FF) | | Desmond O'Malley (PDs) | | Eddie Wade (FF) | | Michael Noonan (FG) |
| 28th | 1998 by-election | | Jan O'Sullivan (Lab) | | Willie O'Dea (FF) | | Desmond O'Malley (PDs) | | Eddie Wade (FF) | | Michael Noonan (FG) |
| 29th | 2002 | | Jan O'Sullivan (Lab) | | Willie O'Dea (FF) | | Tim O'Malley (PDs) | | Peter Power (FF) | | Michael Noonan (FG) |
| 30th | 2007 | | Jan O'Sullivan (Lab) | | Willie O'Dea (FF) | | Kieran O'Donnell (FG) | | Peter Power (FF) | | Michael Noonan (FG) |
| 31st | 2011 | Constituency abolished. See Limerick City and Limerick | Constituency abolished. See Limerick City and Limerick | Constituency abolished. See Limerick City and Limerick | Constituency abolished. See Limerick City and Limerick | Constituency abolished. See Limerick City and Limerick | Constituency abolished. See Limerick City and Limerick | Constituency abolished. See Limerick City and Limerick | Constituency abolished. See Limerick City and Limerick | Constituency abolished. See Limerick City and Limerick | Constituency abolished. See Limerick City and Limerick |
Note: The columns in this table are used only for presentational purposes, and no significance should be attached to the order of columns. For details of the order in which seats were won at each election, see the detailed results of that election.

## Elections
### 2007 general election

2007 general election: Limerick East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Willie O'Dea | 38.6 | 19,082 | | | | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Michael Noonan | 15.2 | 7,507 | 8,484 | | | | | | |
| | Labour | Jan O'Sullivan | 10.3 | 5,098 | 6,236 | 6,271 | 6,352 | 6,556 | 7,236 | 8,114 | 9,051 |
| | Fine Gael | Kieran O'Donnell | 10.3 | 5,094 | 5,566 | 5,584 | 5,644 | 5,816 | 6,148 | 6,498 | 6,966 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Peter Power | 7.2 | 3,569 | 8,669 | | | | | | |
| | Progressive Democrats | Tim O'Malley | 6.8 | 3,354 | 4,211 | 4,268 | 4,308 | 4,387 | 4,526 | 4,670 | 5,776 |
| | Sinn Féin | Maurice Quinlivan | 4.2 | 2,081 | 2,480 | 2,494 | 2,513 | 2,686 | 2,839 | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Noreen Ryan | 2.8 | 1,391 | 2,943 | 3,245 | 3,278 | 3,419 | 3,536 | 4,110 | |
| | Green | Trish Forde Brennan | 2.6 | 1,296 | 1,420 | 1,425 | 1,432 | 1,619 | | | |
| | Independent | John Devane | 0.7 | 330 | 457 | 461 | 469 | | | | |
| | Independent | Cathal McCarthy | 0.4 | 188 | 232 | 233 | 236 | | | | |
| | Independent | Denis Riordan | 0.4 | 186 | 207 | 209 | 210 | | | | |
| | Christian Solidarity | Conor O'Donoghue | 0.4 | 171 | 202 | 203 | 205 | | | | |
| | Independent | Patrick Moore | 0.1 | 28 | 38 | | | | | | |
| Electorate: 76,874 Valid: 49,375 Spoilt: 431 (0.9%) Quota: 8,230 Turnout: 49,806 (64.8%) ||||||||||||

### 2002 general election

2002 general election: Limerick East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Willie O'Dea | 26.3 | 13,174 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Michael Noonan | 18.9 | 9,451 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Progressive Democrats | Tim O'Malley | 9.8 | 4,885 | 5,327 | 5,415 | 5,490 | 5,506 | 5,631 | 5,782 | 5,872 | 6,324 | 6,953 | 7,723 |
| | Labour | Jan O'Sullivan | 9.3 | 4,629 | 5,048 | 5,193 | 5,255 | 5,356 | 5,715 | 5,927 | 6,323 | 6,958 | 7,256 | 7,467 |
| | Fine Gael | Mary Jackman | 8.9 | 4,468 | 4,712 | 5,409 | 5,497 | 5,529 | 5,657 | 5,842 | 5,979 | 6,569 | 6,986 | 7,162 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Peter Power | 7.8 | 3,881 | 5,838 | 5,879 | 5,969 | 6,007 | 6,080 | 6,253 | 6,425 | 6,851 | 9,491 | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Eddie Wade | 5.8 | 2,918 | 4,029 | 4,042 | 4,084 | 4,105 | 4,134 | 4,266 | 4,323 | 4,529 | | |
| | Independent | Patrick Kennedy | 4.2 | 2,092 | 2,313 | 2,366 | 2,434 | 2,567 | 2,650 | 2,840 | 3,379 | | | |
| | Independent | John Gilligan | 2.3 | 1,176 | 1,315 | 1,333 | 1,379 | 1,576 | 1,680 | 1,920 | | | | |
| | Ind. Health Alliance | Tom Ryan | 2.3 | 1,148 | 1,269 | 1,289 | 1,361 | 1,405 | 1,478 | | | | | |
| | Green | Timothy Hourigan | 1.8 | 917 | 970 | 985 | 1,053 | 1,077 | | | | | | |
| | Independent | Michael Kelly | 1.3 | 677 | 736 | 751 | 764 | | | | | | | |
| | National Party | Nora Bennis | 1.0 | 479 | 536 | 545 | | | | | | | | |
| | Christian Solidarity | Conor O'Donoghue | 0.2 | 86 | 95 | 96 | | | | | | | | |
| | Independent | Aidan Ryan | 0.1 | 19 | 27 | 29 | | | | | | | | |
| Electorate: 80,593 Valid: 50,000 Spoilt: 513 (1.0%) Quota: 8,334 Turnout: 50,513 (62.7%) |||||||||||||||

### 1998 by-election

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.
1998 by-election: Limerick East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| | Labour | Jan O'Sullivan | 24.9 | 10,619 | 11,444 | 13,724 | 14,967 | 22,888 |
| | Fine Gael | Mary Jackman | 24.5 | 10,445 | 10,870 | 11,591 | 12,860 | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Sandra Marsh | 23.8 | 10,173 | 10,852 | 11,328 | 13,117 | 15,188 |
| | Progressive Democrats | Tim O'Malley | 10.0 | 4,287 | 4,578 | 4,913 | | |
| | Democratic Left | John Ryan | 9.1 | 3,868 | 4,507 | | | |
| | Sinn Féin | Jenny Marie Shapland | 2.1 | 909 | | | | |
| | Independent | John Gilligan | 2.0 | 850 | | | | |
| | National Party | Nora Bennis | 1.6 | 700 | | | | |
| | Green | Eric Sheppard | 1.3 | 546 | | | | |
| | Independent | Barney Sheehan | 0.5 | 198 | | | | |
| | Independent | Noel Hannon | 0.3 | 108 | | | | |
| Electorate: 78,062 Valid: 42,703 Quota: 21,352 Turnout: (54.7%) |||||||||

### 1997 general election

1997 general election: Limerick East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Willie O'Dea | 25.3 | 12,581 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Michael Noonan | 20.3 | 10,092 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Eddie Wade | 9.7 | 4,798 | 6,600 | 6,655 | 6,768 | 7,034 | 7,360 | 7,451 | 9,632 | | | |
| | Progressive Democrats | Desmond O'Malley | 8.8 | 4,358 | 4,836 | 4,981 | 5,063 | 5,278 | 6,561 | 6,714 | 7,478 | 8,419 | | |
| | Democratic Left | John Ryan | 6.9 | 3,403 | 3,682 | 3,809 | 3,994 | 4,092 | 4,129 | 4,562 | 4,756 | 4,873 | 4,904 | |
| | Fine Gael | Mary Jackman | 6.2 | 3,084 | 3,209 | 4,208 | 4,327 | 4,599 | 4,755 | 5,106 | 5,330 | 5,459 | 5,519 | 6,499 |
| | Labour | Jim Kemmy | 5.4 | 2,702 | 2,933 | 3,153 | 3,329 | 3,439 | 3,509 | 4,625 | 4,875 | 5,003 | 5,047 | 7,173 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Peter Power | 4.8 | 2,362 | 3,340 | 3,393 | 3,483 | 3,784 | 3,903 | 3,993 | | | | |
| | Labour | Jan O'Sullivan | 3.8 | 1,866 | 1,984 | 2,115 | 2,292 | 2,353 | 2,383 | | | | | |
| | Progressive Democrats | Edmond Creighton | 3.7 | 1,817 | 1,959 | 1,988 | 2,021 | 2,150 | | | | | | |
| | National Party | Nora Bennis | 3.1 | 1,533 | 1,610 | 1,637 | 1,730 | | | | | | | |
| | Green | Eric Sheppard | 1.6 | 802 | 843 | 858 | | | | | | | | |
| | Independent | Noel Raymond Hannan | 0.4 | 195 | 217 | 222 | | | | | | | | |
| | Independent | Denis Riordan | 0.2 | 108 | 112 | 114 | | | | | | | | |
| Electorate: 76,705 Valid: 49,701 Spoilt: 348 (0.7%) Quota: 8,284 Turnout: 50,049 (65.3%) |||||||||||||||

### 1992 general election

1992 general election: Limerick East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Willie O'Dea | 22.7 | 10,990 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Progressive Democrats | Desmond O'Malley | 17.2 | 8,304 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Labour | Jim Kemmy | 17.1 | 8,262 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Michael Noonan | 11.2 | 5,437 | 5,650 | 5,664 | 5,697 | 5,715 | 5,725 | 5,792 | 5,829 | 5,936 | 7,379 | 8,627 | |
| | Progressive Democrats | Peadar Clohessy | 9.0 | 4,334 | 4,607 | 4,631 | 4,804 | 4,814 | 4,847 | 4,885 | 4,912 | 4,996 | 5,322 | 6,175 | 6,630 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Eddie Wade | 7.5 | 3,637 | 5,605 | 5,617 | 5,625 | 5,630 | 5,685 | 5,782 | 5,840 | 5,941 | 6,060 | 6,435 | 6,548 |
| | Labour | Jan O'Sullivan | 6.4 | 3,091 | 3,308 | 3,320 | 3,336 | 3,484 | 3,528 | 3,566 | 3,726 | 4,099 | 4,353 | | |
| | Fine Gael | Mary Jackman | 6.2 | 2,110 | 2,196 | 2,197 | 2,207 | 2,214 | 2,221 | 2,253 | 2,276 | 2,324 | | | |
| | Democratic Left | John Ryan | 1.7 | 835 | 919 | 940 | 942 | 949 | 989 | 1,017 | 1,130 | | | | |
| | Independent | Augustine Moore | 1.0 | 463 | 477 | 481 | 481 | 482 | 496 | | | | | | |
| | Sinn Féin | Tom Clancy | 0.8 | 400 | 422 | 425 | 426 | 427 | | | | | | | |
| | People's Democracy | Joe Harrington | 0.8 | 370 | 413 | 420 | 422 | 428 | 576 | 601 | | | | | |
| | Independent | Jude Williams | 0.2 | 118 | 129 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Electorate: 71,136 Valid: 48,351 Spoilt: 721 (1.5%) Quota: 8,059 Turnout: 49,072 (69.0%) ||||||||||||||||

### 1989 general election

1989 general election: Limerick East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Willie O'Dea | 20.8 | 9,658 | | | | | | | |
| | Democratic Socialist | Jim Kemmy | 19.8 | 9,168 | | | | | | | |
| | Progressive Democrats | Desmond O'Malley | 18.1 | 8,385 | | | | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Michael Noonan | 12.5 | 5,805 | 5,936 | 6,286 | 6,590 | 6,714 | 6,937 | 9,124 | |
| | Progressive Democrats | Peadar Clohessy | 9.1 | 4,233 | 4,420 | 4,769 | 5,047 | 5,507 | 5,709 | 6,266 | 7,517 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Eddie Wade | 6.6 | 3,073 | 4,030 | 4,097 | 4,179 | 4,195 | 6,240 | 6,396 | 6,545 |
| | Fine Gael | Mary Jackman | 5.9 | 2,715 | 2,794 | 2,929 | 3,122 | 3,168 | 3,309 | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Tony Bromell | 5.0 | 2,298 | 2,829 | 2,926 | 3,010 | 3,025 | | | |
| | Labour | Declan Leddin | 2.2 | 1,006 | 1,055 | 1,501 | | | | | |
| Electorate: 66,471 Valid: 46,341 Spoilt: 499 (1.1%) Quota: 7,724 Turnout: 46,840 (70.5%) ||||||||||||

### 1987 general election

1987 general election: Limerick East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| | Progressive Democrats | Desmond O'Malley | 24.9 | 12,358 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Willie O'Dea | 18.7 | 9,268 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Progressive Democrats | Peadar Clohessy | 12.2 | 6,069 | 9,101 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Democratic Socialist | Jim Kemmy | 11.9 | 5,920 | 6,228 | 6,309 | 6,529 | 6,544 | 6,556 | 6,654 | 6,807 | 6,966 | 7,240 | 7,387 | 8,412 | |
| | Fine Gael | Michael Noonan | 11.9 | 5,913 | 6,217 | 6,256 | 6,510 | 6,513 | 6,536 | 6,573 | 6,596 | 6,633 | 6,648 | 6,727 | 7,303 | 10,122 |
| | Fine Gael | Tom O'Donnell | 6.0 | 2,968 | 3,126 | 3,179 | 3,305 | 3,312 | 3,326 | 3,335 | 3,340 | 3,384 | 3,401 | 3,463 | 3,520 | |
| | Labour | Frank Prendergast | 4.4 | 2,201 | 2,311 | 2,349 | 2,462 | 2,470 | 2,475 | 2,507 | 2,531 | 2,581 | 2,633 | 2,707 | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Richard O'Flaherty | 4.3 | 2,111 | 2,185 | 2,722 | 2,763 | 2,764 | 2,771 | 2,784 | 2,792 | 2,835 | 2,962 | 4,117 | 4,423 | 4,687 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Michael Parkes | 2.5 | 1,254 | 1,317 | 1,545 | 1,580 | 1,582 | 1,586 | 1,595 | 1,596 | 1,615 | 1,657 | | | |
| | Sinn Féin | Pádraig Malone | 1.1 | 565 | 572 | 579 | 582 | 587 | 587 | 595 | 619 | 664 | | | | |
| | Independent | Martin Nugent | 0.7 | 353 | 371 | 381 | 402 | 405 | 412 | 437 | 463 | | | | | |
| | Workers' Party | Fergal Grant | 0.5 | 246 | 253 | 255 | 262 | 273 | 276 | 295 | | | | | | |
| | Green | Declan O'Lehane | 0.5 | 241 | 247 | 250 | 257 | 260 | 264 | | | | | | | |
| | Independent | Denis Riordan | 0.2 | 87 | 89 | 89 | 91 | 92 | | | | | | | | |
| | Independent | John Donovan | 0.1 | 59 | 59 | 60 | 63 | | | | | | | | | |
| Electorate: 67,301 Valid: 49,613 Quota: 8,269 Turnout: 73.7% |||||||||||||||||

### November 1982 general election

November 1982 general election: Limerick East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Desmond O'Malley | 22.5 | 10,615 | | | | | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Tom O'Donnell | 19.2 | 9,058 | | | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Willie O'Dea | 15.5 | 7,306 | 8,893 | | | | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Michael Noonan | 11.9 | 5,631 | 5,740 | 6,548 | 6,589 | 6,610 | 6,646 | 6,682 | 7,910 | |
| | Labour | Frank Prendergast | 10.2 | 4,793 | 4,927 | 5,009 | 5,075 | 5,112 | 5,160 | 5,217 | 5,381 | 7,892 |
| | Democratic Socialist | Jim Kemmy | 8.7 | 4,125 | 4,239 | 4,314 | 4,353 | 4,400 | 4,438 | 4,508 | 4,580 | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Michael Herbert | 6.8 | 3,204 | 3,762 | 3,788 | 4,396 | 4,400 | 4,424 | 5,494 | 5,546 | 6,028 |
| | Fine Gael | John O'Sullivan | 2.8 | 1,308 | 1,340 | 1,526 | 1,535 | 1,541 | 1,551 | 1,570 | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | John Bourke | 1.8 | 859 | 1,059 | 1,065 | 1,319 | 1,328 | 1,350 | | | |
| | Independent | Richard Power | 0.4 | 177 | 182 | 184 | 186 | 198 | | | | |
| | Independent | Patrick Moore | 0.3 | 145 | 150 | 152 | 155 | | | | | |
| Electorate: 64,982 Valid: 47,221 Quota: 7,871 Turnout: 72.7% |||||||||||||

### February 1982 general election

February 1982 general election: Limerick East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Desmond O'Malley | 19.1 | 9,049 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Tom O'Donnell | 18.0 | 8,514 | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Willie O'Dea | 15.7 | 7,425 | 8,105 | | | | | | | | |
| | Democratic Socialist | Jim Kemmy | 13.7 | 6,502 | 6,565 | 6,619 | 6,628 | 6,660 | 6,742 | 6,902 | 7,195 | 7,438 | 8,597 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Peadar Clohessy | 10.5 | 4,947 | 5,289 | 5,310 | 5,500 | 5,511 | 5,556 | 5,603 | 5,715 | 5,812 | 6,093 |
| | Fine Gael | Michael Noonan | 9.6 | 4,527 | 4,555 | 4,943 | 4,949 | 4,952 | 4,966 | 5,067 | 5,163 | 6,687 | 7,861 |
| | Labour | Michael Lipper | 5.7 | 2,684 | 2,700 | 2,730 | 2,735 | 2,753 | 2,835 | 2,914 | 3,086 | 3,297 | |
| | Fine Gael | Patrick Kennedy | 4.1 | 1,938 | 1,949 | 2,064 | 2,066 | 2,079 | 2,093 | 2,146 | 2,234 | | |
| | Independent | John Frawley | 1.4 | 676 | 684 | 689 | 689 | 706 | 807 | 914 | | | |
| | Independent | Win Harrington | 1.1 | 516 | 524 | 532 | 533 | 545 | 581 | | | | |
| | Irish Republican Socialist | John Gilligan | 0.7 | 343 | 345 | 347 | 348 | 448 | | | | | |
| | Independent | Joseph Harrington | 0.5 | 215 | 216 | 217 | 218 | | | | | | |
| Electorate: 63,737 Valid: 47,336 Quota: 7,890 Turnout: 74.3% ||||||||||||||

### 1981 general election

1981 general election: Limerick East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| | Fine Gael | Tom O'Donnell | 20.4 | 9,915 | | | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Desmond O'Malley | 19.2 | 9,346 | | | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Peadar Clohessy | 10.8 | 5,256 | 5,295 | 5,724 | 5,788 | 5,847 | 6,864 | 6,976 | 7,192 | 7,511 |
| | Fine Gael | Michael Noonan | 8.9 | 4,311 | 5,232 | 5,268 | 5,312 | 5,422 | 5,594 | 7,653 | 8,491 | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Willie O'Dea | 8.8 | 4,297 | 4,364 | 4,713 | 4,791 | 4,824 | 5,375 | 5,530 | 5,750 | 5,985 |
| | Democratic Socialist | Jim Kemmy | 8.6 | 4,190 | 4,293 | 4,338 | 4,482 | 4,742 | 4,831 | 4,921 | 5,644 | 7,976 |
| | Labour | Michael Lipper | 6.0 | 2,905 | 2,996 | 3,022 | 3,170 | 3,337 | 3,395 | 3,502 | 4,757 | |
| | Labour | Frank Prendergast | 5.8 | 2,840 | 2,970 | 3,026 | 3,100 | 3,251 | 3,351 | 3,460 | | |
| | Fine Gael | Richard Hourigan | 4.5 | 2,184 | 2,591 | 2,605 | 2,623 | 2,685 | 2,744 | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Éamonn Cregan | 3.4 | 1,636 | 1,657 | 1,930 | 1,994 | 2,072 | | | | |
| | Independent | John Frawley | 1.8 | 866 | 891 | 904 | 1,038 | | | | | |
| | Independent | Joseph Harrington | 1.7 | 844 | 856 | 862 | | | | | | |
| Electorate: 63,737 Valid: 48,590 Quota: 8,099 Turnout: 76.2% |||||||||||||

### 1977 general election

1977 general election: Limerick East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Desmond O'Malley | 19.5 | 8,762 | 8,765 | 8,788 | 8,860 | 8,900 | 8,994 | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Tom O'Donnell | 14.6 | 6,571 | 6,573 | 6,585 | 6,692 | 7,302 | 7,374 | 7,636 | 10,169 | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Michael Herbert | 14.0 | 6,293 | 6,306 | 6,321 | 6,377 | 6,405 | 6,474 | 6,640 | 6,786 | 7,105 | 7,342 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Peadar Clohessy | 12.2 | 5,488 | 5,497 | 5,512 | 5,540 | 5,572 | 5,610 | 5,722 | 5,778 | 6,090 | 6,249 |
| | Independent | Michael Lipper | 11.6 | 5,224 | 5,257 | 5,322 | 5,429 | 5,575 | 6,023 | 7,608 | 8,049 | 9,775 | |
| | Labour | Stephen Coughlan | 7.9 | 3,553 | 3,555 | 3,565 | 3,618 | 3,693 | 3,786 | 4,008 | 4,380 | | |
| | Fine Gael | Ted Russell | 6.7 | 3,022 | 3,024 | 3,030 | 3,097 | 3,403 | 3,521 | 3,684 | | | |
| | Democratic Socialist | Jim Kemmy | 5.2 | 2,333 | 2,348 | 2,413 | 2,476 | 2,530 | 2,920 | | | | |
| | Independent | Michael Crowe | 2.9 | 1,325 | 1,335 | 1,358 | 1,408 | 1,447 | | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Patrick Kennedy | 2.9 | 1,302 | 1,303 | 1,307 | 1,357 | | | | | | |
| | Independent | Win Harrington | 1.4 | 646 | 657 | 677 | | | | | | | |
| | Sinn Féin The Workers' Party | Fergus Reynolds | 0.6 | 262 | 280 | | | | | | | | |
| | Independent | Joseph Harrington | 0.3 | 122 | | | | | | | | | |
| Electorate: 57,023 Valid: 44,903 Spoilt: 217 (0.5%) Quota: 8,981 Turnout: 45,120 (79.1%) ||||||||||||||

### 1973 general election

1973 general election: Limerick East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Desmond O'Malley | 21.0 | 7,806 | | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Tom O'Donnell | 18.4 | 6,841 | 6,853 | 7,916 | | | |
| | Labour | Stephen Coughlan | 14.8 | 5,495 | 5,508 | 5,824 | 5,898 | 6,174 | 8,999 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Michael Herbert | 12.2 | 4,532 | 4,758 | 4,806 | 4,812 | 7,573 | |
| | Fine Gael | Ted Russell | 9.5 | 3,523 | 3,530 | 4,211 | 4,571 | 4,653 | 5,210 |
| | Labour | Michael Lipper | 8.9 | 3,292 | 3,296 | 3,566 | 3,602 | 3,665 | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Peadar Clohessy | 8.7 | 3,242 | 3,344 | 3,387 | 3,389 | | |
| | Fine Gael | Patrick Kennedy | 6.6 | 2,456 | 2,460 | | | | |
| Electorate: 47,001 Valid: 37,187 Quota: 7,438 Turnout: 79.1% ||||||||||

### 1969 general election

1969 general election: Limerick East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| | Fine Gael | Tom O'Donnell | 17.9 | 6,438 | 6,457 | 6,616 | 7,926 | | | |
| | Labour | Stephen Coughlan | 17.7 | 6,362 | 6,474 | 6,579 | 6,792 | 7,059 | 7,189 | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Desmond O'Malley | 16.6 | 5,960 | 5,972 | 5,984 | 6,029 | 6,062 | 6,916 | 7,142 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Michael Herbert | 13.9 | 4,985 | 4,993 | 5,016 | 5,060 | 5,080 | 6,415 | 6,635 |
| | Independent | Hilda O'Malley | 9.4 | 3,361 | 3,411 | 3,439 | 3,658 | 4,010 | 4,352 | 5,543 |
| | Labour | Michael Lipper | 9.0 | 3,222 | 3,353 | 3,365 | 3,478 | 3,538 | 3,649 | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Liam Hickey | 7.9 | 2,838 | 2,845 | 2,857 | 2,885 | 2,896 | | |
| | Fine Gael | Patrick Kennedy | 5.1 | 1,821 | 1,839 | 2,038 | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Patrick Clancy | 1.5 | 560 | 565 | | | | | |
| | Labour | Anthony Pratschke | 1.0 | 366 | | | | | | |
| Electorate: 44,859 Valid: 35,913 Quota: 7,183 Turnout: 80.1% |||||||||||

### 1968 by-election

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.
1968 by-election: Limerick East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Desmond O'Malley | 43.7 | 16,638 | 16,828 | 18,447 |
| | Labour | Michael Lipper | 26.7 | 10,151 | 10,760 | 17,520 |
| | Fine Gael | James F. O'Higgins | 26.4 | 10,039 | 10,335 | |
| | Liberal | Mick B. Crowe | 3.2 | 1,209 | | |
| Electorate: 46,798 Valid: 38,037 Quota: 19,019 Turnout: 81.3% |||||||

### 1965 general election

1965 general election: Limerick East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Donogh O'Malley | 29.1 | 10,285 | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Tom O'Donnell | 17.7 | 6,253 | 6,368 | 6,682 | 9,686 | |
| | Labour | Stephen Coughlan | 15.9 | 5,623 | 5,839 | 5,879 | 6,612 | 7,729 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Paddy Clohessy | 13.6 | 4,812 | 6,071 | 6,099 | 6,249 | 6,378 |
| | Fine Gael | Ted Russell | 11.4 | 4,025 | 4,193 | 4,283 | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Michael Herbert | 10.8 | 3,804 | 5,243 | 5,275 | 5,452 | 5,709 |
| | Fine Gael | James Hickey | 1.4 | 500 | 527 | | | |
| Electorate: 45,607 Valid: 35,302 Quota: 7,061 Turnout: 77.4% |||||||||

### 1961 general election

1961 general election: Limerick East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Donogh O'Malley | 26.2 | 8,622 | | | | | | |
| | Labour | Stephen Coughlan | 21.1 | 6,964 | | | | | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Paddy Clohessy | 14.6 | 4,827 | 6,022 | 6,139 | 7,485 | | | |
| | Independent | Ted Russell | 10.8 | 3,547 | 3,838 | 3,949 | 4,133 | 4,337 | 4,612 | 5,566 |
| | Fine Gael | Tom O'Donnell | 10.2 | 3,367 | 3,415 | 3,784 | 3,869 | 3,941 | 3,995 | 6,378 |
| | Fine Gael | John Carew | 10.0 | 3,288 | 3,364 | 3,682 | 3,724 | 3,819 | 3,874 | |
| | Fianna Fáil | William Slattery | 4.2 | 1,388 | 1,773 | 1,789 | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | John Kirby | 2.9 | 958 | 992 | | | | | |
| Electorate: 43,769 Valid: 32,961 Quota: 6,593 Turnout: 75.3% |||||||||||

### 1957 general election

1957 general election: Limerick East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Donogh O'Malley | 20.7 | 7,501 | | | | | | |
| | Independent | Ted Russell | 15.5 | 5,623 | 5,640 | 5,777 | 6,271 | 7,114 | 7,547 | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Paddy Clohessy | 14.3 | 5,178 | 5,324 | 5,478 | 5,756 | 6,215 | 8,955 | |
| | Fine Gael | John Carew | 11.6 | 4,193 | 4,196 | 5,060 | 5,541 | 5,738 | 5,962 | 6,155 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Patrick Maguire | 9.5 | 3,455 | 3,524 | 3,665 | 3,932 | 4,265 | | |
| | Clann na Poblachta | Stephen Coughlan | 9.4 | 3,395 | 3,402 | 3,478 | 3,781 | 4,491 | 4,696 | 4,861 |
| | Sinn Féin | Pádraig Ó Maolcathaigh | 8.5 | 3,085 | 3,092 | 3,141 | 3,380 | | | |
| | Labour | Christopher Keyes | 5.8 | 2,098 | 2,102 | 2,319 | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Patrick Donegan | 4.7 | 1,690 | 1,694 | | | | | |
| Electorate: 46,854 Valid: 36,218 Quota: 7,244 Turnout: 77.3% |||||||||||

### 1954 general election

1954 general election: Limerick East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Donogh O'Malley | 18.1 | 6,860 | 6,879 | 6,979 | 7,010 | 8,009 | | |
| | Clann na Poblachta | Stephen Coughlan | 14.9 | 5,652 | 5,808 | 6,145 | 6,824 | 7,107 | 7,170 | 7,272 |
| | Fine Gael | John Carew | 14.2 | 5,362 | 6,344 | 9,244 | | | | |
| | Labour | Michael Keyes | 13.3 | 5,035 | 5,275 | 5,617 | 6,504 | 6,827 | 6,985 | 7,301 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Tadhg Crowley | 12.8 | 4,857 | 5,083 | 5,138 | 5,171 | 7,983 | | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Paddy Clohessy | 11.8 | 4,458 | 4,495 | 4,564 | 4,613 | | | |
| | Fine Gael | James Reidy | 8.5 | 3,196 | 3,886 | | | | | |
| | Fine Gael | Denis Quish | 6.4 | 2,402 | | | | | | |
| Electorate: 47,468 Valid: 37,822 Quota: 7,565 Turnout: 79.7% |||||||||||

### 1952 by-election

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.
1952 by-election: Limerick East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Tom Clarke | 41.6 | 15,964 | 16,546 | 17,337 |
| | Fine Gael | John Carew | 34.2 | 13,130 | 14,120 | 19,749 |
| | Clann na Poblachta | Ted Russell | 16.9 | 6,465 | 7,523 | |
| | Labour | John Hayes | 7.3 | 2,785 | | |
| Electorate: 48,730 Valid: 38,344 Quota: 19,173 Turnout: 78.7% |||||||

### 1951 general election

1951 general election: Limerick East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Daniel Bourke | 19.6 | 7,268 | 7,471 | | |
| | Labour | Michael Keyes | 17.0 | 6,295 | 6,790 | 7,275 | 7,973 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Tadhg Crowley | 14.2 | 5,266 | 5,456 | 9,601 | |
| | Clann na Poblachta | Ted Russell | 13.5 | 5,017 | 5,331 | 5,502 | 5,740 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Robert Ryan | 13.4 | 4,982 | 5,159 | | |
| | Fine Gael | James Reidy | 11.3 | 4,196 | 6,832 | 7,041 | 7,221 |
| | Fine Gael | George C. Bennett | 11.0 | 4,079 | | | |
| Electorate: 50,132 Valid: 37,103 Quota: 7,421 Turnout: 74.0% ||||||||

### 1948 general election

1948 general election: Limerick East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count | Count |
| Party | Party | Candidate | FPv% | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Daniel Bourke | 22.0 | 8,128 | | | | | | |
| | Labour | Michael Keyes | 15.6 | 5,756 | 5,806 | 5,871 | 6,118 | 6,553 | 7,066 | 7,612 |
| | Fine Gael | James Reidy | 12.2 | 4,496 | 4,521 | 4,557 | 4,645 | 4,828 | 4,899 | 7,794 |
| | Fianna Fáil | Robert Ryan | 11.4 | 4,187 | 4,375 | 4,396 | 4,461 | 4,859 | 7,832 | |
| | Fianna Fáil | Tadhg Crowley | 9.3 | 3,420 | 3,866 | 3,902 | 4,002 | 4,105 | | |
| | Fine Gael | George C. Bennett | 9.0 | 3,326 | 3,333 | 3,380 | 3,417 | 4,230 | 4,433 | |
| | Clann na Poblachta | Ted Russell | 7.5 | 2,777 | 2,786 | 3,236 | 4,559 | 4,784 | 4,894 | 5,191 |
| | Clann na Talmhan | Patrick Donegan | 5.8 | 2,131 | 2,135 | 2,157 | 2,238 | | | |
| | Clann na Poblachta | Seán Carroll | 4.2 | 1,533 | 1,554 | 1,989 | | | | |
| | Clann na Poblachta | Thomas Malone | 3.1 | 1,125 | 1,127 | | | | | |
| Electorate: 49,565 Valid: 36,879 Quota: 7,376 Turnout: 74.4% |||||||||||