Dublin’s Lord and Deputy Lord Mayor set to fight for seat in upcoming Dublin by-election
Sarah Slater
Dublin’s Lord and Deputy Lord Mayor are set to fight it out for a seat in the forthcoming Dublin Central by-election.
Fine Gael councillor Ray McAdam, who is the current Lord Mayor, will slug it out against his deputy, Fianna Fáil councillor John Stephens, to secure the seat left vacant by former finance minister Paschal Donohoe before last December to become second in command at the World Bank in Washington DC.
McAdam is to be the only candidate, and the party is to hold its convention on March 23rd. Party sources close to Cllr McAdam have confirmed that his candidacy will go “uncontested”.
On Thursday last, Cllr McAdam confirmed that he would be putting his name forward, and he has been viewed as the favourite to contest the election for his party.
“If selected, I intend to run a very positive campaign,” he said.
Cllr McAdam was elected the 358th Lord Mayor of Dublin on June 30th, last year.
A member of Fine Gael, he was first elected to Dublin City Council in 2009 to represent the North Inner City and has been re-elected at every subsequent local election in 2014, 2019, and 2024.
Stephens was first elected to the council last year and subsequently chosen as the 351st deputy Lord Mayor and represents Cabra-Glasnevin. It is understood that, similar to McAdam, Stephens will go unchallenged for the candidacy with the party’s convention held before Fianna Fáil’s.
The Fianna Fáil councillor, who has worked in the Mater Hospital for 25 years, was given the nod of approval as a candidate by the party's grass roots and stalwarts privately two weeks ago. Senator Mary Fitzpatrick indicated several weeks ago that she would not be seeking the party’s nomination.
“It will be an interesting two months ahead canvassing on doorsteps and dealing with the concerns of constituents,” said Cllr Stephens.
Stephens, a recent victim of crime himself, wants tougher measures introduced, including the possible introduction of legislation regarding juveniles involved in crime to make parents more accountable for their children’s whereabouts.
Working in a hospital, Stephens sees as “bonkers” the fact that the Rotunda Hospital extension is facing objections. “The welfare of mothers and babies needs to take priority over any planning and environmental whims.”
Additionally, Cllr Stephens is furious that concerns around Brent Geese are preventing essential developments to GAA clubs and children’s playgrounds around the city.
Stephens admitted it “will be a hard election” for all involved. Fianna Fáil nomination papers have gone out to party members, and they are due to be returned within days.
The party has not held a seat in the constituency since the retirement of Bertie Ahern from the Dáil in 2011.
Sinn Féin councillor Janice Boylan was selected as the party’s candidate on Wednesday by a close margin of 59 to 50 votes over hopeful Gillian Sherratt.
A Clondalkin native, Sherratt hit the headlines last year while campaigning for her son Harvey to receive spinal surgery.
He died at the age of nine after waiting a number of years for surgery. The campaign led to a public inquiry over the care of children with scoliosis and spina bifida.
Candidates already confirmed to run in the by-election include Green Party councillor Janet Horner, Independent anti-immigration councillor Malachy Steenson, People Before Profit’s Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Social Democrats councillor Daniel Ennis, and the well-known Gerry Hutch, who narrowly missed a seat in the 2024 general election.
