Top five most shocking and quirky moments from Local Elections 2024

Throughout the weekend, the local elections brought new councils to each county, but also brought quirky moments with twists and turns found throughout the often mundane day-to-day.

From mice in ballot boxes, lost jewelery and more, the 2024 elections have kept everyone on their toes.

Here's a look at the top five surprises that have made these elections unforgettable.

Mouse in the ballot box

At 9am on Saturday morning, as the count got underway at the TF Royal Hotel and Theatre, the county registrar issued a warning to the 270 count staff. 

It seemed ballot papers were not the only things staff find during the count as it was said that late Friday night, a mouse had reportedly found its way into one of the Mayo ballot boxes.

According to the Irish Times, the mouse had not been located by Sunday evening.

Sentimental ring

On Saturday in Wexford, count staff were diligently searching through a ballot box for a diamond that had fallen among the votes.

The diamond, thought to have dropped from a voter's ring, was soon reunited with its owner.

Oona McFarland from Bray said she lost in the ballot box while voting. According to RTÉ, the ring is in memory of her late daughter and fell off her finger when she pushed her ballot into the box.

Unexpected votes

Last month, Marian Agrios, a former Fine Gael candidate for Louth County Council, withdrew from the race following reports that she had accepted large sums to drop an objection to a nearby housing development.

Despite urging voters not to support her, as it was too late to remove her name from the ballot, it was reported by the Irish Times that she received 105 first-preference votes anyway.

Ballots to the moon

The lengthy Midlands-North-West ballot paper caused a stir over the weekend.

It was reported by the Irish Times that Mayo TD Michael Ring compared the 27-candidate, 73cm-long paper to a roll of toilet paper, calling it "a disgrace!"

By Sunday, it was said that fatigued reporters in Castlebar humorously speculated how many such ballots it would take to reach the moon.

A few votes shy

In the 2019 local elections, Galway City Council candidate Patrick Feeney made history by receiving just one vote.

Undeterred, he ran again this year and according to the Irish times, managed to secure 13 votes in the Galway City Central LEA, still ending with the lowest tally.