Tomas Doherty
Dublin Central will see Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald and Fine Gael’s Paschal Donohoe face a range of potential challengers, including Gerry “the Monk” Hutch in what will be one of the most tightly fought contests of the election.
Here is everything you need to know about the area before heading to the polls on November 29th.
The constituency
Dublin Central is a diverse constituency at the heart of the capital. It takes in the North Inner City and traditionally working class areas such as North Strand and Ballybough, along with gentrified neighbourhoods such as Stoneybatter.
More affluent areas such as Glasnevin and Drumcondra are in the north of the constituency.
The boundaries of Dublin Central are unchanged since the last election. The population is 127,302.
The issues
Affordable and social housing is likely to be a dominant campaign issue amid high rents and other expensive living costs in the capital.
A contentious plan to build more than 1,500 build-to-rent apartments on Clonliffe Road in Drumcondra was rejected by the High Court last year after local objections, including from Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, who said the development would only exacerbate the housing crisis.
Crime and anti-social behaviour around O’Connell Street have hit the headlines in recent years and local politicians have been calling for an increased Garda presence in the area.
The constituency was rocked in November 2023 by a stabbing attack on school children at Parnell Square and subsequent riots across Dublin city centre.
Seats
There are four seats in the constituency, unchanged since the last election.
Candidates
The confirmation that Gerry “The Monk” Hutch will run here as an Independent has brought a lot of attention to Dublin Central.
The local gangland figure was arrested in Spain last month as part of an international investigation into money laundering. He has reportedly been released on bail of €100,000.
Mr Hutch said he was not worried that the case in Spain would affect his ability to serve the people of Dublin.
Paschal Donohoe, who has served as a TD for Dublin Central since 2011, said previously of the rumour that Mr Hutch would run: “I’ll be making the case for stability and competence in government and I’ll be making the case for the communities of Dublin Central continuing with what they want to do, which is putting organised crime and criminality behind them.”
Former Dublin MEP Clare Daly will also stand for election here and could take votes from the left-wing incumbents.
Anti-immigration campaigner Malachy Steenson will stand as an Independent.
Mary Lou McDonald and Paschal Donohoe will likely keep their seats, with the remaining candidates fighting for the final two seats.
Outgoing TDs
Mary Lou McDonald – Sinn Féin
Paschal Donohoe – Fine Gael
Neasa Hourigan – Green Party
Gary Gannon – Social Democrats
How to register to vote
To vote in a general election, you must be:
- 18 years old or over
- An Irish or British citizen
- Resident in Ireland
- Listed on the Register of Electors (electoral register)
To find out if your name is on the electoral register, you can check online at checktheregister.ie or enquire at a local authority office.
