Naas, Kildare woman elected as chair of Social Democrats party

A Naas, Co Kildare woman has been elected as the chair of the Social Democrats party, it has been announced this week.

Ms Sorcha O'Neill replaces another Naas resident, Colm Byrne, in the role.

Party members voted for Ms O’Neill at their national conference over the weekend in Cork in the same week as the 10 year old party reached 10% in the polls for the first time in its history.

The role will see the Naas woman chair the party’s National Executive, which is the managerial and governing body of the party and the National Council which is the policy making body. 

Her election comes at a crucial time for the party which is enjoying its highest ratings in the polls since its foundation by co-founders former Kildare North TD Catherine Connolly and Roisin Shortall.

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The party will go into the key period of building and strategising in advance of local, European and general elections which are expected to take place in 2029.

Clane man Noel Dempsey has also been elected to the party’s National Executive. He, Ms O’Neill and Mr Byrne are all members of the Kildare North branch of the party, as is Deputy Aidan Farrelly.

“I am deeply honoured to have been elected Chairperson of the Social Democrats by our national conference,” Ms O’Neill said.

“This result is a strong mandate to unite our movement and focus relentlessly on social justice, economic fairness, and democratic renewal. 

“Together, we will build a party ready to govern and to deliver real change for working people.”

Mr Byrne was elected to the executive at the party’s national conference in early 2024 and played a vital role in steering the party through the elections of that year and into the new Dail term.

“It has been an honour to be chair during a period where we doubled our Leinster House representation and grew in polling to 10%. 

“The party is in great hands with Sorcha taking over. She will be a great leader for the party to take the next step locally and nationally.”

Deputy Farrelly paid tribute to Sorcha O’Neill and her predecessor. “Sorcha has some very big shoes to fill in this important role, but I have absolutely no doubt that she is more than capable of doing so. 

“I look forward to working with her over the next few years to continue to build the party locally and nationally.

“The party is going from strength to strength here in Kildare with strong growth in active and committed membership. It certainly bodes well as we head into the next local and general elections.”