Meet the eight candidates competing for the four seats in the Celbridge Local Electoral Area

Here are the eight candidates competing for the four seats in the Celbridge Local Electoral area. Ballots indicated that Fianna Fáil’s David Trost is the early favourite to top the polls as he takes a step into politics following many years of canvassing.

The Social Democrats’ Claire O’Rourke is also aiming for election having lived and worked in Celbridge for over 30 years until her recent retirement, with her special areas of interest being affordable and social housing. She plans to advocate for investment in public transport infrastructure, with an emphasis on sustainable modes of transport, as well as the protection of heritage sites from inappropriate development.

Fine Gael’s Lumi Panaite Fahey is a solicitor and single mother of a disabled son who, if elected, wants to make changes that will impact families like her own. The Fine Gael candidate is originally from Romania, but has lived in Ireland for over 20 years.

Labour’s Rupert Heather wants to make changes in Celbridge to account for the area’s recent population growth. He is focused on the development of sustainable infrastructure to support this growth as a priority. As well as a need to enhance the social and cultural amenities that are available, on a scale that reflects its growth.

Sinn Féin’s David Monaghan describes himself as a passionate advocate for improved public healthcare, housing and transport, along with better access to mental health services.

The Green Party’s Peter Paul Hughes is a Barrister at Law and his priorities lie within public transport, nature and the environment, and road safety. The Green Party candidate says he wants to see the new 30km/h speed limit implemented in his area’s town and villages.

Zhyan Phelan is an independent candidate who has been a community leader for over 30 years and now sees this election as her opportunity to finally enter politics.

The final candidate is The Irish People’s Daragh Toner who, via Facebook post, expressed his desire for controlled immigration and prioritising housing for Irish people.