West Cork's Cairns to resume party leadership role this month

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns is to return to her role as the head of the party this month.

A Social Democrats spokesperson confirmed to The Echo the expectation is that Ms Cairns will return for political duty in mid-September.

The Cork South West TD gave birth to her first child on the general election polling day in November last year and has since then been on maternity leave.

Ms Cairns (35) first became involved in politics while she was campaigning for the referendum on the Eighth Amendment, which motivated her to join the Social Democrats and establish a branch in West Cork.

In 2019, Ms Cairns won a local council seat in Bantry by a single vote. A year later, in 2020, she successfully contested the general election, quickly rising to national prominence in the Dáil. In 2023, she was elected as Social Democrats party leader.

Cian O’Callaghan stepped up to lead the Social Democrats party while Ms Cairns has been on leave.

Meanwhile, her party colleague and fellow Cork TD has given his seal of approval to Independent Catherine Connolly being nominated to run as a candidate in the presidential election.

Ms Connolly, is to date, the only candidate to be confirmed as running in the upcoming presidential campaign.

Speaking to The Echo, Cork South Central Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice said:

“I’m delighted that myself and my Social Democrat colleagues will be nominating Catherine Connolly for president.

“She has the skills, qualities and experience to be a brilliant president.

“She’s a lawyer, a gaeilgeoir and a tireless champion for those on the margins of Irish society. She served as the leas-cheann comhairle of the Dáil with distinction.

Mr Rice added: “She will be a steady hand but also a spark. I think she’s the best person to succeed Michael D Higgins as President of Ireland.”