Folan is Labour’s pick for Dublin Bay North

Labour has selected local election candidate Shane Folan as their Dáil candidate for Dublin Bay North.

Folan came up short on both occasions he ran for election in Donaghmede in 2019 and 2024,

Folan marginally improved his share of first preferences in 2024 compared to 2019 (6.9% versus 6.7%) but it wasn’t enough to win a seat on either occasion.

Folan has been tapped to replace newly-elected MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, who served Dublin Bay North as  TD between 2011 and 2016, and from 2020 until his European victory in June of this year.

Folan said he was “honoured” to get the nod, saying “we need people who will focus on the actual causes of the housing crisis and not whip up fear in the Dáil.”

He received the backing of Ó Ríordáin, with the MEP “Shane is the change that Dublin Bay North needs. From local work to national campaigns, Shane has done it all; let’s make him a TD!”

Dublin Bay North is one of the most-anticipated Dáil races in the general election, with candidates steadily dripping in over the last few weeks.

A who’s who of the Dublin political scene will be duking it out for a Dáil seat in Dublin Bay North come election; Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan, Fine Gael’s two candidates Aoibhinn Tormey and Naoise Ó Muirí, independent councillors Barry Heneghan and John Lyons, Fianna Fáil’s two candidates Deirdre Heney and  Tom Brabazon, Green councillor David Healy will all be looking for a seat in the 5-seater.

Sinn Fein have yet to announce who they will be running in the constituency.

The departure of three heavy hitters – Richard Bruton, Fianna Fáil’s Sean Haughey and the aforementioned Ó Ríordáin – means that this 5-seater will be one of the most competitive constituencies in the battle to form the next Dáil.