Dublin City Council has welcomed a new councillor to its ranks.
Following the May victory of new Social Democrats TD Daniel Ennis, the party were then compelled to fill the vacant North Inner City seat on Dublin City Council.
The party chose Ellen O’Doherty to fill the vacant seat.
O’Doherty ran alongside Ennis in the 2024 local elections in the North Inner City, falling short of winning a second seat for the party on that occasion.
Since then, O’Doherty has served as parliamentary assistant to Dublin North-West TD Rory Hearne, with a past life in HSE administration also on her CV.
Ennis paid tribute to O’Doherty as she took the seat, saying, “In Ellen, the North Inner City is getting a brave, passionate and visionary person.”
“I know she’ll bring the work rate and compassion this role needs, and that our area deserves.”
Speaking after being co-opted onto Dublin City Council, O’Doherty said “the North Inner City is a very special place with strong communities, rich history and incredible people.”
She told the council chamber, “the issues of housing, waste management, childcare, sports facilities and cultural spaces still persist,” and they are still just as much an issue, two years on from the local elections.
“My mission in 2024 was the same as it is now; to represent the people of the North Inner City, their wants, their needs, and advocate for them every step of the way,” she said.
O’Doherty said that housing was a major part of her 2024 campaign, and now that she is a councillor, she will make housing among her main focuses.
“It’s a huge passion of mine, and it will continue to be so,” she said.
She said that the North Inner City is a diverse area with people from different backgrounds, but noted “the issues that we all face with housing, waste management, childcare, waste management, and dearth of pitches” were issues that resonated with everyone.
“I want to pay tribute to the wonderful work that Dan (Ennis) did on the council; I look forward to working with you all, and working hard for the North Inner City,” she said.
With the Social Democrats picking up 11.8% of the vote in the North Inner City in the 2024 local elections, Doherty is well-placed to keep her seat ahead in the 2029 local elections, as the party looks to improve on its strong 2024 results.
On that occasion, the party became the second largest party on Dublin City Council, winning 10 seats after standing 13 candidates.