Social Democrats housing spokesman and deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan (45) has moved from winning the third seat in Dublin Bay North in 2020 to topping the poll this time around.
A former mayor who served on Fingal County Council from 2009 until his election to the Dáil four years ago, he was appointed deputy party leader last year and stood in for Holly Cairns during the RTÉ election leaders’ debate.
A reserved TD, he nevertheless speaks passionately about housing and has been a persistent, articulate critic of Government policy. He is “delighted” with his party’s election performance and has signalled the Social Democrats’ openness to talking to Labour and all parties about government formation.
Originally from Sutton but now based in Howth, O’Callaghan served stints in Labour and as an Independent before joining the Social Democrats when the party was founded in 2015. He also served as party national organiser, and as a welfare officer with the Union of Students in Ireland from 1999 to 2001.
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