Soc Dems select Fingal County Council candidates

The Social Democrats have picked two new candidates to run for them on Fingal County Council.

Ellen Murphy will run for the party in the Ongar constituency while Neil Dowling will run in Blanchardstown-Mulhuddart.

The party has two members on Fingal County Council at present and will look to build on decent polling for the party across Dublin.

Speaking after the selection convention, Clonsilla resident Murphy said “I am proud to have been selected to stand for the Social Democrats. As someone who was lucky enough to get to grow up in Clonsilla, I know what a great area it is. However, for far too many of us, there is no chance of being able to buy a home here. We are mostly back in our childhood bedrooms trying to save with little hope of getting a mortgage for a home where we have grown up.”

“Dublin 15 can be made more affordable for all of us, but it will take a concerted effort by Fingal County Council and the Department of Housing. I’m running for the council because I want to work to deliver affordable housing across Clonsilla, Huntstown, Hartstown, Blakestown and all the wider Ongar area.” 

Meakstown resident Dowling said “I am proud to have been selected for the area of Mulhuddart/Blanchardstown. I want to see more universal access to health care for all across the area and housing is also key.”

“We need Fingal to deliver affordable options for everyone across the area. I was one of the many community members who came together to hold Fingal County Council to account for their lack of investment in Meakstown which for too long has been under-resourced. I will continue to champion these issues if elected this June.“ 

The selection convention was chaired by Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore.

Whitmore commented “this is a very exciting time for the party, which is continuing to grow. We are in a solid position to win seats across every LEA, and the Dublin West constituency is an area we feel confident about. “

“We have two fantastic candidates in the area. I have worked closely with Ellen in my office since 2022 and I know she will make an excellent representative on the council, ready to hit the ground running from day one.”

“Neil has been involved in this community for so many years and is the kind of activist we need to see on the council. I look forward to seeing them both elected and working with them as part of the national team of councillors for the Social Democrats come this summer.”