Election 2024TD Profile

Dublin Mid-West: Mark Ward (SF)

Sinn Féin’s spokesman on mental health secures seat

DMW Mark Ward
Sinn Féin's Mark Ward is the party's spokesman on mental health

Sinn Féin’s Mark Ward (49) has retained his Dublin Mid-West seat. Ward, from north Clondalkin, is the party’s spokesman on mental health.

He was co-opted on to South Dublin County Council in 2016 following the election of constituency colleague Eoin Ó Broin to the Dáil. In 2019 he topped the poll in a byelection caused by the election of Fine Gael TD Frances Fitzgerald to the European Parliament.

He came in a strong second in the 2020 general election alongside party running-mate Ó Broin, who topped the poll.

A native of the Harelawn area, he spent time homeless in the mid-2000s, and in 2005 was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

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He has a number of qualifications from Maynooth University, University College Dublin and South East Technological University, in behavioural therapy, community development and addiction.

A separated father of three children, he lives in Lucan. He is a life-long Dublin GAA supporter and confirms he has a tattoo of the Dublin GAA crest that covers his back.

Kitty Holland

Kitty Holland

Kitty Holland is Social Affairs Correspondent of The Irish Times