New Mayor vows to build an inclusive South Dublin

New South Dublin County Mayor Francis Timmons has pledged to make inclusion, equality and community the defining themes of his year in office after describing his election as “the honour of my life”.

Drawing on his experiences in social care, as an institutional abuse survivor and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Cllr Timmons outlined a vision centred on compassion, equality and support for the county’s diverse communities.

Among his priorities are a Mayor’s Charter for Inclusion, greater support for community organisations and a campaign to make South Dublin a Fairtrade county.
“I will work with every councillor and council staff to build SDCC as an inclusive, welcoming and diverse county,” he said.

Cllr Timmons also announced that he is dedicating his term as mayor to people with disabilities, including those living with mental health challenges, drawing on his 36 years working in social care.

He paid tribute to colleagues in Peamount Healthcare, WALK and Scoil Mochua, saying he had witnessed people overcome enormous obstacles despite living in what can often be “an unkind and not always accessible and inclusive world”.

Reflecting on his own life, Cllr Timmons spoke about growing up as a gay man before homosexuality was decriminalised in Ireland and said Pride remained both a celebration and a reminder of the continuing struggle for equality.

“The day after I was elected I was proud to march in Pride,” he said.

“Pride is a great celebration of LGBTQ+ people but is also about the struggle for equality.”

He said he would continue to support the transgender community, which he described as being “under relentless attack”, and called for continued defence of human rights both in Ireland and internationally.

The new mayor also reflected on the legacy of institutional abuse survivors, marking 30 years since the broadcast of Christine Buckley’s landmark documentary Dear Daughter, which exposed abuse in Ireland’s industrial schools.

He remembered victims of mother and baby institutions and industrial schools, including members of his own family.

“My sister’s life mattered. She died at three months. We have no grave for her. My mother’s life mattered,” he said.

Cllr Timmons also paid tribute to murdered journalist Veronica Guerin, describing her killing as “an attack on democracy”, and praised her lasting legacy through the establishment of the Criminal Assets Bureau.

Looking ahead, he said environmental protection would also be a priority, including safeguarding rivers and hedgerows, planting more trees and supporting Tidy Towns groups, residents’ associations and community organisations.

Drawing on his experience working in homeless services, he said society should never “normalise homelessness” and pledged to work with the council to identify more housing opportunities while also addressing the storage needs of community groups.

He also expressed his desire to promote peace during his mayoral term and said he hoped to organise a peace march during the year.

Concluding, Cllr Timmons said he looked forward to serving communities across South Dublin over the coming year.

“I look forward to serving my county for the year ahead and meeting as many of you as possible.”