McAdam selected as Fine Gael by-election candidate

Lord Mayor of Dublin and Fine Gael councillor Ray McAdam will be running in the upcoming Dublin Central by-election.

McAdam, who has served as a councillor for the North Inner City constituency since 2009, was widely expected to be the Fine Gael candidate following the departure of Paschal Donohoe last November.

The Fine Gael councillor now has the task of making sure all four seats in Dublin Central don’t fall into opposition hands, with Sinn Féin, Labour, and the Social Democrats currently holding the three other seats in the constituency.

McAdam said, “I am deeply honoured to have been selected as Fine Gael’s candidate for Dublin Central in the forthcoming by-election.”

“For 17 years, I have had the privilege of serving communities across this constituency as a local councillor, and as Lord Mayor, I have sought to stand up for a Dublin that is ambitious, inclusive, safe and open to all,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Now I want to bring that same record of delivery, that same energy, and that same belief in the potential of our capital city to Dáil Éireann.”

“This campaign is about the future of Dublin Central. It is about stronger communities, a more vibrant city, and practical leadership that gets things done. I look forward to meeting voters across the constituency, hearing what matters most to them, and asking for their support to build an even better Dublin together.”

McAdam has served as Lord Mayor of Dublin since June 2025, with Fine Gael’s Dublin Bay South TD James Geoghegan serving as Lord Mayor of Dublin prior to his election to the Dáil in the November 2024 general election.

Leader of Fine Gael and Tánaiste Simon Harris said “throughout his political career, Ray McAdam has proven himself to be a person of decency, hard work and public service.”

The Tánaiste said “Ray cares passionately about the communities of Dublin Central; communities that he has championed for 17 years.”

“Whether as a councillor or Lord Mayor of Dublin City, Ray has always demonstrated his desire to deliver for his constituents.

“He will make an excellent TD in Dáil Éireann and I very much look forward to visiting Dublin Central and meeting people on the doors as we seek support for Ray’s candidacy.”

Dublin Rathdown TD Neale Richmond will serve as director of elections for the by-eleciton campaign, with Richmond paying tribute to Donohoe, who held the seat since the 2011 general election.

“Paschal Donohoe represented this community with distinction for over 20 years, we need to elect someone equally as committed to replace him in the Dáil; Ray McAdam is exactly that person,” he said.

“Ray and myself have been good friends since our days with the party leader in Young Fine Gael. I have seen close up how hard he has worked for this community since first being elected to Dublin City Council 17 years ago,” he said.

“Ray is the most experienced and best qualified candidate who can actually deliver as a Government TD for Dublin Central; Ray would make an excellent TD and I look forward to Fine Gael running an energetic and positive campaign.”