Soc Dems pick Ennis as Dublin Central by-election candidate

The Social Democrats will run North Inner City councillor Daniel Ennis in next year’s by-election in Dublin Central.

The by-election, triggered by Paschal Donohoe’s resignation, is seen as a major test of the unified left project, which delivered victory for Catherine Connolly in October.

In November’s 2024 general election, Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald, Social Democrats’ Gary Gannon and Labour’s Marie Sherlock all won a seat, alongside Donohoe.

Ennis is the second candidate to declare their candidacy, after People Before Profit candidate Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin declared his candidacy last week.

Ennis and Ó Ceannabháin faced off against each other in the titanic North Inner City battle at the June 2024 local elections – the Social Democrats nearly won two seats, with Ennis winning, and Ó Ceannabháin narrowly failing to get elected.

Dublin Central is a relative hotspot for the Social Democrats, with Gary Gannon winning a Dáil seat there in the 2020 general election, and increasing his vote in the 2024 general election at the expense of the Greens.

In the North Inner City in the 2024 locals, the party received 11.8% of first preferences, Green councillor Janet Horner received 9.5%, Ó Ceannabháin received 8.6% and Labour received 3.1%, indicating a strong progressive vote in the area at the expense of Sinn Féin which only got one of their three candidates elected in the form of Janice Boylan (strongly rumoured to be Sinn Féin’s candidate in the by-election).

Ennis’ candidacy was announced on Tuesday evening after what was understood to have been a contested convention between Ennis and Cabra-Glasnevin councillor Cat O’Driscoll.

Ennis said, “I’m thrilled to be selected to contest the Dublin Central by-election and incredibly excited to run a campaign that’s ambitious, inclusive and addresses the issues that are most prominent in the constituency.”

“My politics is simple: a politics of decency, solidarity and unity. Now more than ever, Dublin needs to be decent, to ourselves and to others.”

Ennis criticised the state’s neglect of the North Inner City, saying that was the impetus for him to enter politics.

“I’m determined that my children and every child across this city will grow up in a place built on compassion, respect and opportunity,” he said.

“I will work tirelessly to bring humanity, hard work and community leadership into Dáil Éireann, and to carry the voices, opinions and stories of Dubliners with me.”

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said, “I am delighted to have a candidate of Daniel’s calibre running for the Social Democrats in Dublin Central. Daniel has a track record of tireless advocacy for the community and would be an incredible TD for the area along with our colleague Gary Gannon.”

“Now more than ever, it is essential that Dublin Central elects a strong Opposition voice to the Dáil. This is a constituency that has never received adequate investment or resources from successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments, where issues like homelessness, poverty and social exclusion are particularly acute.”

“Daniel has long fought for the most vulnerable people in our society; demanding action on the many crises we face, particularly in housing and disability services; and speaking up for values of inclusion and diversity. I have no doubt that he will continue that fight in the Dáil,” she said.