The March 1925 Dáil by-elections were held in seven Dáil constituencies to fill nine vacancies in the 4th Dáil. They occurred following the resignation from the Dáil of members of the National Group, who had each been elected at the 1923 general election as TDs for Cumann na nGaedheal. It has been described as a "mini-general election". It is the only occasion at a Dáil by-election in which more than one seat was filled within the same constituency; this occurred in Dublin North and LeitrimâÂÂSligo.
In March 1924, Joseph McGrath, the Minister for Industry and Commerce, resigned from the Executive Council in the aftermath of differences in the handling of the Army Mutiny. He left Cumann na nGaedheal and set up a new organisation, ultimately known as the National Group.
On 29 October 1924, McGrath resigned from the Dáil. The following day, eight other National Group members also resigned. One further member, Osmond Esmonde, was out of the country at the time of the resignations, and did not resign.
On 18 February 1925, James Dolan, the Government Chief Whip moved motions to issue the writ of election to fill the vacancies. Osmond Esmonde objected to the fact that the government moved the motion, against "that the practice [...] to reserve to the Party to which the deceased or resigned member belonged the right of moving for the writ". The motions were agreed to.
The by-elections were held on 11 March 1925. Seán Milroy was the only one of the former TDs to seek re-election, contesting in Dublin North rather than his former constituency of Cavan. Seven of the seats were won by Cumann na nGaedheal candidates, with two won by abstentionist candidates of Sinn Féin, led by ÃÂamon de Valera.
Resignation of Seán Gibbons.
Resignation of Seán Milroy.
Resignations of Francis Cahill and Seán McGarry.
Resignation of Daniel McCarthy.
Resignations of Thomas Carter and Alexander McCabe.
Resignation of Joseph McGrath.
Resignation of Henry Finlay.