After weeks of speculation, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has dissolved the Dáil and confirmed the 26th February as the date for this year’s General Election.
Catherine Byrne TD/Facebook
The Dublin South Central constituency has 13 candidates and they are all looking to secure one of the 4 seats that are up for grabs. The constituency has lost one seat since the 2011 General Election.
Here at the Liberty, we have prepared profiles for each of the 13 candidates to provide you with all the information you need to make your vote count on 26th February.
Catherine Byrne (Elected in last General Election, 2011)
Catherine Byrne/Facebook
Fine Gael
Age 59
From Inchicore
First ran for national government in 20
First elected as TD in 2007
Re-elected in 2011
Elected as a Councillor in 1999 and 2004
Lord Mayor of Dublin 2005-2006
Member of the Oireachtas Committee on Health & Children (2011- 2016) and the Oireachtas Committee on Education & Social Protection (2014- 2016)
Main priority is the creation of new jobs.
Catherine Ardagh
Catherine Ardagh/ Twitter
Fianna Fáil
Age 33
From Crumlin
First time running as a candidate for the national government
First ran in local elections in 2009
First elected as a councillor in 2014
Practising solicitor
Involved with The South Inner City Community Development Association
Her father, Sean Ardagh, was a TD for Crumlin and the Inner City for 15 years
Main priorities are crime prevention, increased social housing, abolition of Irish Water, restoration of the Household Package and the introduction of tax credits for working parents.
Eric Byrne (Elected in 2011)
Eric Byrne/Twitter
Labour
Age 68
From Crumlin/Kimmage
First elected as a councillor in 1985 (member of the Workers’ Party)
Re-elected at subsequent elections until resigning in 2011
First ran for national government in 1977 election
First elected as a TD in 1989 (member of the Workers’ Party)
Re-elected as a TD in 1994 (Democratic Left) and 2011 (Labour)
Elected Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin in July 2001
Member of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs
Main priority is the creation of jobs and maintained recovery.
Neville Bradley
Neville Bradley/Facebook
Direct Democracy Ireland
Age 55
From Walkinstown
Second time running for national government
First stood for national government in 2011 election (ran as an independent candidate)
Currently employed as a Fire Services Manager
Ran for local government in 2014 elections
Main priorities are achieving financial freedom and political accountability.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Elected in 2011)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh/Facebook
Sinn Féin
Age 51
From Bluebell
First stood for national government in 1987 election
First elected as a TD in 2002
Re-elected as a TD in 2007 and 2011
Ran for local government in 1991
Currently the Sinn Féin party whip
Member of the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection and of the Oireachtas Committee on Procedure and Privileges
Main priorities are abolishing water charges and the local property tax, and keeping Ballyfermot’s De La Salle School open and reversing government Social Welfare cuts.
Máire Devine
Máire Devine/Facebook
Sinn Féin
Age 52
Born in the Liberties, now lives in Rialto
First time running as a candidate for the national government
Elected as councillor in 2014
A member of the Joint Policing Committee
Registered Mental Health Nurse
Main priorities are abolishing water charges and the property tax, the housing crisis, a new tax system, health and challenging the stigma surrounding mental health.
Bríd Smith
Bríd Smith/Twitter
People before Profit Alliance
Age 57
From Ballyfermot
Ran for national government in 1997 & 2002 (member of the Socialist Workers Party) and 2007 (People Before Profit)
First ran for local government in 2004 (member of the Socialist Workers Party)
First elected as a councillor in 2009
Re-elected in 2014
Ran for European Parliament in 2014
Main priorities are abolishing Irish Water, ending austerity measures and to build active resistance of people power in the community.
Oisín Ó hAlmhain
Twitter/ Oisín Ó hAlmhain
Green Party
Age 43
Lives in Inchicore
First ran for national government in 2011
First ran for local government in 2014
Works as a hospital pharmacist
The Green Party spokesperson for health
Treasurer and the Secretary of the Dublin South Central Group
Main priorities are bringing recovery to areas such as Dublin 8 & 10 and taking back the city from developers and rebuilding it for the people.
Michael Gargan
Facebook/ Michael Gargan
Renua
Age 38
From Kimmage
First time running as a candidate for the national government
Owns a computer repair shop
Main priorities are creating employment, creating new social housing projects , reducing crime, introduction of new tax credit for working parents and securing additional teaching hours for special needs children.
Joan Collins (Elected in 2011)
Joan Collins/Facebook
Independent
Age 54
From Crumlin
First ran for national government in 2007 (independent candidate)
First elected as a TD in 2011 (member of People before Profit)
Left People before Profit in 2014
First ran for local government in 2004
First elected as a councillor in 2004
Re-elected in 2009
Main priorities are improving living standards of constituents, reversing austerity measures and abolishing water charges and property tax
Paul Hand
Twitter/Paul Hand
Independent
Age 29
From Drimnagh
First time running as a candidate for the national government
First ran for local government in 2014
First elected as a councillor in 2014
Main priorities are improving public services in the constituency, dealing with the homelessness crisis and promoting green businesses
Richard Murray
Twitter/Richard Murray
Independent
Age 30
From Ballyfermot
First time running as a candidate for the national government
Owns a security country
Main priorities are improving social housing, reducing crime and establishing a “Corruption Assets Bureau”
Liam Coyne
Liam Coyne/Facebook
Social Democrats
Age 49
From Kimmage
First time running as a candidate for the national government
Owns a tyre company
Main priorities are dealing with the homelessness crisis, creating jobs in the local area