I have stepped down from Fingal County Council.
I resigned from the council back in July, just before the summer break, in one of the hardest decisions I have made to focus on my studies and career. I knew I could not work, study, have a social life, and run for re-election. As such, it was best to leave and give someone else the opportunity to take over my seat and run in the 2024 local elections.
I was lucky to be apart of an amazing team of Green Party councillors in Fingal, where all of us aligned on so many issues and worked as a team to bring about change. David Healy, Ian Carey, Pamela Conroy, and Karen Power were the best people to have by my side for the past four years, and I am proud of our achievements on the council. From annual budgets to six-year development plans, the team took every opportunity to change the council for the better.
I was also lucky to have Roderic O’Gorman as a fellow councillor (even just for a short time). He was an incredible mentor and was a bedrock of support when I first entered the council. His approach to council meetings, to engaging with fellow politicians, and even the research and effort he puts into every idea, every meeting, and every strategy set a high standard that I tried to meet. While in probably one of the toughest departments, I have nothing but faith that he is doing the best he can!
Finally, I want to thank Seána Ó Rodaigh, who was mayor and partner in crime during my stint as Deputy Mayor. I have met quite a few politicians, councillors, and TDs, and there are a few like Seána who put their heart and soul into the role. During our term, we managed to travel to Palestine and were part of a cross-council Dublin team that aimed to build relations between Ramallah and Dublin. She was an amazing advocate for Fingal, and its a bit crazy that both of us have now stepped down from the council.
This might not be the end of my career in politics, but right now, I am moving onto other things with a focus on completing a Masters in DCU and working with PrivacyEngine. Being a councillor is such a massive responsibility, and while it is stressful, intense, and doesn’t have the best hours, every day feels consequential, and every little win feels impactful.
