The Green Party have selected councillor Janet Horner to be their candidate in the upcoming by-election in Dublin Central.
Horner was first elected to Dublin City Council in 2019 for the North Inner City constituency, and will look to win back the seat lost by Neasa Hourigan in the 2024 general election.
The by-election, triggered by Pascal Donohoe’s resignation in November, will see the opposition attempt to go 4 for 4 – the current 3 TDs are from opposition parties.
Horner said, “Dublin Central is a vibrant, connected community full of compassion, creativity and ambition. As a councillor and a long-term resident of the north inner city, I know the people of Dublin Central deserve a TD who will fight fearlessly for our area.
“I believe in the best of Dublin Central – we need leadership focused on action and solutions, rather than problems and fear, and that recognises and champions our area’s rich history and cultures. “
Horner said she was running because the constituency “needs a strong, new Green voice that puts community, care and culture at the heart of how we respond to the climate crisis and the uncertainty of the world around us.”
“At a time when hard men are trying to profit from division and from exploiting our planet, I want to bring positive imagination to politics – building community and resilience, strengthening our social fabric, and supporting nature.”
“We are stronger when we stand together. I want to see communities that look after one another and are united in our diversity. That is the vision I will bring to Dáil Éireann, for the people of Dublin, and for the people of Ireland,” she said.
Party leader Roderic O’Gorman said, “Janet is a person who lives her values. She has spoken up for the most vulnerable in her community and has been attacked for that, but this hasn’t silenced her. She sees diversity as our strength, and her proven track record in winning votes means she is a strong voice in this by-election”.
Horner joins an ever-expanding list of candidates for the by-election, which is tipped to be held in either April or May.
Fellow North Inner City Councillor Daniel Ennis will line out for the Social Democrats, as well as independent councillor Malachy Steenson and People Before Profit candidate Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin.
Fine Gael insiders have indicated that current Lord Mayor Ray McAdam will get the nod for the party, while the Sinn Féin candidacy is said to be between activist Gillian Sherratt and councillor Janice Boylan.