Stephens selected as Fianna Fáil by-election candidate

Fianna Fáil have selected Cabra-Glasnevin councillor John Stephens as their candidate for the upcoming Dublin Central by-election.

Stephens was first elected to Dublin City Council in 2024, and was always the most logical choice for the party to be the by-election candidate; 5-time candidate, Senator Mary Fitzpatrick, ruled out another run at the Dáil.

Stephens now has the task of attempting to win a constituency that Fianna Fáil hasn’t won since 2007, back in the Bertie Ahern days, when the then-Taoiseach was re-elected alongside Cyprian Brady.

Currently serving as Deputy Lord Mayor to Lord Mayor Ray McAdam, the by-election will now see the Lord Mayor and his Deputy face off.

Speaking after his selection on Monday evening, Stephens said “it is an honour to be selected as the Fianna Fáil candidate for Dublin Central. I have lived, worked and played an active role in this community throughout my life.”

“Born in the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin Central has always been my home. I am from here. I have lived the experiences of people in this community, I experienced the challenges the community face and I share their hopes for the future.

The councillor said he will be contesting the election on “three clear priorities”, which involve “making Dublin Central safer, cleaner and tackling the housing challenges facing local families.”

Stephens said that Dublin Central “needs someone from the community to voice their issues within the largest party of government.”

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin said, “John has been a community activist in the area for many years and as deputy Lord Mayor, knows Dublin Central exceptionally well. John knows what works for this area and its people.

“Working in the Mater and also being involved as a Board member of Grangegorman Development Board John has a deep understanding of the importance of public service and how crucial education opportunities are. I look forward to canvassing with John over the coming weeks.”

Minister Darragh O’Brien will serve as Director of Elections for the May by-election, and said on Monday evening, “I look forward to working with our candidate, councillor John Stephens, in the Dublin Central by-election. John brings deep local knowledge of the constituency, having lived there all his life, and knows firsthand the issues that matter to people. He also has a long record of community activism and hands-on experience on the ground.”

“He has a proven record of service as Deputy Lord Mayor and as a Dublin City councillor along with a clear law and order message on crime and a strong commitment to advocating for safer streets. I look forward to supporting him throughout the campaign,” he said.