Ocallaghan to contest the next election in Dublin Bay North

THE constituency of Dublin Bay North will become even more keenly contested in the general election with news that former Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Cian O’Callaghan, is to run for the Social Democrats.

Cllr O’Callaghan, who topped the poll in the 2014 Local Elections in the Howth Malahide Local Electoral Area (LEA), will be looking to take one of the five seats for the newly formed party headed by Róisín Shortall TD, Catherine Murphy TD and Stephen Donnelly TD.

Cllr O’Callaghan, who quit the Labour Party in 2013 over its “unjust and unfair” policies, said he is contesting the election because he believes there is a need for a fundamental change in politics. 

“We need public representatives that put the people first and we need an end to cosy insider political representation,” he told Northside People. 

“I’ve been impressed by the principled and dedicated work of TDs like Catherine Murphy, Roisin Shorthall and Stephen Donnelly and I’m delighted to be running with them as part of the Social Democrats.

“We need elected representatives that focus constructively on long term solutions and planning.

“Escalating homelessness, hospital waiting lists, a poorly regulated banking sector are not mere accidental outcomes – they are a result of conscious decisions made by our Governments and politicians.”

Cllr O’Callaghan said the ongoing crisis at Beaumont Hospital “which has borne the brunt of cutbacks in healthcare” is one of the issues he will be highlighting during his campaign. 

“The hospital suffers from overcrowding and a shortage of front line staff,” he said. 

“This election provides us with an opportunity to make a fresh start in Irish politics. 

“Dublin Bay North is a hotly contested constituency and I’m looking forward to bringing the Social Democrats message to the people of and offering them a new choice.”

The Social Democrats’ leadership team said they are delighted at the growth of the party and the calibre of the candidates it has attracted.