Sandra Murphy Kelleher added to Fianna Fáil ticket in Cork North Central

Fianna Fáil has added a third candidate to contest a seat in Cork North Central in the forthcoming general election, with Ballincollig-based Sandra Murphy Kelleher joining sitting TD Pádraig O’Sullivan and city councillor Tony Fitzgerald on the party ticket.

Ms Murphy Kelleher, group brand and communications manager with the Trigon Hotels Group, previously ran for the party in the constituency in the 2020 general election.

Ms Murphy Kelleher told The Echo that, as a working mother, she understood the daily challenges faced by families and would make affordable childcare, access to quality healthcare, housing, and education key to her campaign.

“Every person’s story and experience shape our community, and it’s essential that voices are heard at the national level."

It had been anticipated that Ms Murphy Kelleher’s husband Colm Kelleher, a two-term city councillor and former lord mayor of Cork, would be selected. However, northside councillor Tony Fitzgerald, also a former lord mayor, was selected last week.

Mr Kelleher said he was delighted that his wife had been selected.

“I believe Sandra has the drive, positivity, and commitment to be an outstanding public representative, and I’m so proud of her,” Mr Kelleher said.

Ms Murphy Kelleher’s candidacy brings the number of female Fianna Fáil candidates running in Cork to three, as she joins Deirdre O’Brien in Cork East and Margaret Kenneally in Cork South Central.

Fianna Fáil is currently running 75 candidates nationally, 31 of whom are women, giving the party a female candidacy representation of 41%.