The Irish Independent carries excerpts of an article entitled “Why I May Have Lost My Seat”, written by the former MP for Galway Connemara, William O’Malley. It quotes O’Malley as writing [before the election count was returned] that :

“…the constituency of  Connemara is won by Sinn Féin. A year ago, the cult was practically confined to one family, but that family had relatives in almost every hole and corner of the constituency. My opponent, Padraic  O’Maile belonged to this family. It is a remarkable fact that at least 90 per cent of the Connemara people hate and loathe Sinn Féin, and do not believe in an Irish Republic, and yet a Sinn Féin candidate may be returned.” O’Malley describes Sinn Féin as the most perfect political organisation in the United Kingdom, and writes  that their intimidation was such that his supporters were afraid to do any canvassing or even sign a nomination paper. “Notwithstanding these facts, I would have won by at least two to one had not the Sinn Féin candidate had the active support of the young priests.”

O’Malley, the Irish (National) Party candidate was defeated by O’Maile. He had been the MP for the area since 1895, and had been elected unopposed  in that and the three subsequent elections.