Fianna Fáil to nominate Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin as candidate in Dublin Central by-election

Sarah Slater

Fianna Fáil is set to nominate Councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, John Stephens, as its candidate for the Dublin Central by-election at a convention on Monday night.

The by-election is due to be held in May, after former Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, in a shock move, stood down to become second in command at the World Bank in Washington DC late last year.

Stephens is the sole candidate for the party nomination and declared his intentions to throw his hat in the ring last November. The party’s convention is to be held at the Ashling Hotel in Dublin at 7.30pm.

Fianna Fáil has not held a seat in the constituency since then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern resigned in 2011.

Senator Mary Fitzpatrick, who has run several times in the constituency without any success announced her intention not to seek the party’s nomination several weeks ago.

The father-of-two, who works in the Mater Hospital, represents the area of Glasnevin-Cabra, is running for the seat which has been left vacant following the resignation of now former Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe who is to become number two in the World Bank.

Cllr Stephens, who is in his 50s, said that he is the “only elected person in the area for Fianna Fáil. I took over all of the constituency work from the current Senator Mary Fitzpatrick when she was appointed to her role.

“I went into the party to create unity and have done so,” after what he claims was “hostility” in the aftermath of issues surrounding former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

“I’ve a good ground swell of support behind me and have also built up a good relationship with current Taoiseach Micheál Martin.” He was first elected as a councillor in 2024.

“I think being elected as a councillor only last year and then becoming deputy Lord Mayor shows that I am committed to the area and party.”

Cllr Stephens has lived in the constituency all his life as have his parents and wife.

He added: “The party is only on 7 per cent of the vote in the north inner city. It’s very sad that Fianna Fáil hasn’t had a councillor since 2009 and a TD since 2011 for the north inner city. I really want to change that”.

Several candidates have already confirmed their intention to contest the election.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Ray McAdam was selected as the Fine Gael candidate last Monday.

Sinn Féin Councillor Janice Boylan is among those who have been declared to run as has Independent councillor Malachy Steenson, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin for People Before Profit, Social Democrats candidate Daniel Ennis, Green Party Councillor Janet Horner, Aontú’s Ian Smyth and Ruth O’Dea for Labour.

Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch, who is well known in criminal circles has also declared that he will be running. He narrowly missed being elected in the 2024 General Election by a few hundred votes.