2024 Limerick mayoral election
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An election to decide the first directly elected Mayor of Limerick has been set for 7 June 2024, as part of the 2024 Irish local elections. Limerick is the first local authority in Ireland to have directly elected mayor, following a plebiscite held at the previous council election. The election will be held under the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024.[1] Candidates can be nominated by a registered political party or with the support of 60 electors.
As of April 2024, there are thirteen declared candidates in the contest for mayor, ten from political parties, and three independent candidates.
Background
In May 2019 a plebiscite was held with the 2019 Limerick City and County Council election in which voters approved a proposal in a plebiscite on the establishment of a directly elected mayor for Limerick City and County by a vote of 52.4%.[2][3] Under the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024, the first election to the new office would take place as part of the 2024 Limerick City and County Council election.
In August 2023, the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) Bill 2023 was published.[4] Kieran O'Donnell, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, stated that the government intended that the election for a directly elected Mayor for Limerick would be held in 2024, at the local elections which were scheduled to be held in June 2024.[5]
The Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024 was enacted on 6 March 2024. Under its provisions, the powers currently vested in the chief executive would be transferred to the Mayor of Limerick. On 5 April, Darragh O'Brien, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, confirmed the date of 7 June 2024 by ministerial order.[6]
Candidates
| Party | Candidate | FPv% | Count | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||
| Aontú | Sarah Beasley[9] | |||
| Fine Gael | Daniel Butler[10] | |||
| Independent | Frankie Daly[11] | |||
| PBP–Solidarity | Ruairi Fahy | |||
| An Rabharta Glas | Laura Keyes[12] | |||
| Green | Brian Leddin | |||
| Independent | John Moran | |||
| Independent | Helen O'Donnell | |||
| Social Democrats | Elisa O'Donovan | |||
| Sinn Féin | Maurice Quinlivan[13] | |||
| Fianna Fáil | Dee Ryan | |||
| Labour | Conor Sheehan[14] | |||
| Party for Animal Welfare | Gerben Uunk[15] | |||
| Quota: | ||||
An Rabharta Glas
Laura Keyes was confirmed as the An Rabharta Glas candidate on 14 March 2024, at a press launch at Keyes's home on the city's northside.[12]
Aontú
On 26 March 2024, Aontú held a public meeting in Limerick, and confirmed Sarah Beasley as the party's candidate.[9]
Fianna Fáil
Dee Ryan, then-Chief Executive of Limerick Chamber, announced her intention to seek Fianna Fáil's nomination, on 11 March 2024. Ryan was endorsed by Tánaiste and party leader Micheál Martin, and TD's, Willie O'Dea and Niall Collins. On 18 March 2024, Ryan was nominated unopposed, and was formally ratified by the party's National Executive.[16]
Fine Gael
Daniel Butler, who previously served as Mayor of Limerick from 2021 to 2022, was confirmed as Fine Gael's candidate, on 12 April 2024, at a selection convention at Limerick Racecourse.[10]
Green Party
Brian Leddin, TD for Limerick City, announced his candidacy for the Green Party, on 17 December 2023.[17]
Helen O'Donnell
Helen O'Donnell, a local businesswoman, launched her independent campaign on 11 March 2024, at a press launch in Limerick's Strand Hotel.[18]
John Moran
John Moran, the former chair of the Land Development Agency, announced his bid to become mayor, on 27 February 2024, running as an independent.[19]
Frankie Daly
Frankie Daly, councillor for Limerick City North, announced his independent candidacy, on 14 April 2024.[11]
Labour Party
Conor Sheehan, councillor for Limerick City North, announced his candidacy for the Labour Party, on 10 April 2024.[14]
PBP–Solidarity
Ruairí Fahy, a candidate to become county councillor for Limerick City North, was chosen by People Before Profit–Solidarity, as the party's nominee in February 2024.[20]
Sinn Féin
Maurice Quinlivan, TD for Limerick City, announced his candidacy for Sinn Féin, on 3 April 2024.[13]
Social Democrats
Elisa O'Donovan, councillor for Limerick City West, was selected to be the Social Democrats candidate, on 13 March 2024.[21]
References
- ^ English, Bernie (6 March 2024). "President signs Mayor of Limerick bill into law". Limerick Post. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ McAllister, Edel (27 May 2019). "Limerick voters will have chance to elect mayor by 2022". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 25 May 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
- ^ "Result of the Direct Election of Mayor Plebiscite for Limerick City and County". Limerick City and County Council. 27 May 2019. Archived from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
- ^ "Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) Bill 2023". Oireachtas. 3 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ "Minister O'Donnell Welcomes Publication of the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) Bill" (Press release). Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. 3 August 2023.
- ^ "Polling Day Orders made for European, local and Limerick mayoral elections". Gov.ie (Press release). Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. 6 April 2024.
- ^ Boland, Lauren (13 March 2024). "Here's who's in the running so far to be Limerick's first directly elected mayor". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ Halloran, Cathy (17 March 2024). "Who are the candidates in the historic Limerick mayor election?". RTÉ. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ a b O'Rourke, Ryan (26 March 2024). "Aontú member Sarah Beasley enters race for directly elected mayor". Limerick Leader. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ a b O'Donovan, Katie (15 April 2024). "Fine Gael name candidate to contest Limerick mayoral elections". Limerick Post. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ a b Rabbitts, Nick (15 April 2024). "Polltopping Limerick councillor enters race to become directly elected mayor". Limerick Leader. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ a b Rabbitts, Nick (21 March 2024). "New candidate in race to become Limerick's first directly elected mayor". Limerick Leader. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ a b English, Bernie (3 April 2024). "Sinn Féin announces Limerick mayoral candidate". Limerick Post. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
- ^ a b Rabbitts, Nick (10 April 2024). "New entry in race to become directly elected mayor of Limerick". Limerick Leader. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
- ^ Rabbitts, Nick (10 April 2024). "Animal welfare activist to enter the Limerick mayoral race". Limerick Leader. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
- ^ "Tánaiste names Fianna Fail Limerick Mayoral candidate". Limerick's Live 95. 11 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ O'Connell, Hugh (17 December 2023). "Greens TD Brian Leddin aims to be first ever directly-elected Limerick mayor". Irish Independent. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ^ Jacques, Alan (11 March 2024). "Businesswoman Helen O'Donnell launches Limerick mayoral campaign". Limerick Post. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ "Former Finance Chief announces intention to run for historic new role in Limerick". Limerick's Live 95. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ Jacques, Alan (12 February 2024). "People Before Profit announce Ruairí Fahy for 'activist' Directly Elected Mayor campaign". Limerick Post. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ Hosford, Paul (13 March 2024). "Limerick councillor Elisa O'Donovan to stand for Social Democrats in race for first elected mayor". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 13 March 2024.