The race for the Dublin Mid-West seat in the upcoming election is heating up, with various candidates vying for the opportunity to represent the constituency. Fianna Fáil has chosen councillor Shane Moynihan as their candidate, while the Greens have selected Jithin Ram, and Sinn Féin has opted for incumbent TDs Eoin Ó Broin and Mark Ward. Social Democrats councillor Eoin O Broin was the first to declare his candidacy, setting the stage for what promises to be a closely contested election.
Shane Moynihan, who secured re-election in Palmerstown-Fonthill in June, has been steadily building his political career since his victory in the 2019 election. Moynihan’s popularity among constituents was evident as he increased his share of the vote from 8.3% to 13.9%. At the selection convention, Moynihan faced tough competition from veteran councillor Trevor Gilligan and former TD Conor Lenihan, ultimately emerging as Fianna Fáil’s candidate for the upcoming election.
Having previously contested the general election in Dublin Mid-West as Fianna Fáil’s candidate in the November 2019 by-election, Moynihan is no stranger to the challenges of running a successful campaign in the constituency. Despite his strong showing in the by-election, where he garnered 11.8% of first preferences, Moynihan fell short of victory. However, with the constituency set to expand to a five-seater in the next general election, Moynihan’s chances of securing a Dáil seat have significantly improved.
The loss of Fianna Fáil’s seat held by John Curran in the 2020 general election was a setback for the party, but the upcoming election presents an opportunity to reclaim a foothold in Dublin Mid-West. With Sinn Féin’s Eoin Ó Broin and Mark Ward, Fine Gael’s Emer Higgins, and People Before Profit’s Gino Kenny currently holding seats in the constituency, the competition is fierce. Curran’s share of the vote dropped to 10.8% in 2020, a decline from the 16.2% he received in 2016, highlighting the need for a strong candidate like Moynihan to bolster Fianna Fáil’s presence in the area.
The upgrade to a five-seat constituency may work in Fianna Fáil’s favor, based on the party’s performance in the local elections. Despite facing challenges in Lucan, Fianna Fáil managed to secure seats in Palmerstown-Fonthill and Clondalkin, with Moynihan and Gilligan leading the charge. In Clondalkin, Fianna Fáil’s candidates received 15.1% of first preferences, showcasing the party’s potential to attract support in the area. While Sinn Féin’s voter discipline proved effective in securing a seat for William Carey, Fianna Fáil’s strategic approach to fielding candidates in the constituency has shown promise.
The Greens, represented by Jithin Ram in the upcoming election, are looking to build on their recent electoral successes in Dublin Mid-West. In the 2019 by-election, councillor Peter Kavanagh delivered a strong performance for the party, reminiscent of the days of Paul Gogarty’s tenure as an independent councillor for Lucan. Despite facing challenges in previous elections, the Greens have managed to steadily increase their share of the vote, with Kavanagh’s performances in 2019 and 2020 demonstrating the party’s resilience.
However, the Greens’ fortunes in Dublin Mid-West took a hit in the recent local elections, where the party was entirely wiped out on South Dublin County Council. Ram’s unsuccessful bid for a seat in Lucan reflected the challenges facing the party in the area. While the Greens’ performance in the 2019 by-election and 2020 general election showed improvement, the results of the local elections suggest a possible regression for the party in Dublin Mid-West.
Despite the setbacks in Clondalkin and Palmerstown-Fonthill, the Greens remain optimistic about their prospects in the upcoming election. With a focus on engaging with voters and promoting their environmental policies, the party aims to attract support from a diverse range of constituents. The competition in Dublin Mid-West is fierce, but the Greens are committed to running a strong campaign and advocating for their vision of a sustainable future.
As the election race in Dublin Mid-West intensifies, each candidate is vying for the opportunity to represent the constituency in the Dáil. With a diverse range of political parties and candidates in contention, the outcome of the election is uncertain. Fianna Fáil’s Shane Moynihan, the Greens’ Jithin Ram, and Sinn Féin’s Eoin Ó Broin and Mark Ward are all poised to make their case to the voters of Dublin Mid-West. As the campaign unfolds, the candidates will have the opportunity to engage with constituents, address key issues, and present their vision for the future of the constituency. With the stakes high and the competition fierce, the Dublin Mid-West election race is set to be a closely watched and hotly contested affair.
