Front-bench TDs seek re-election in Limerick County constituency

Constituency Profile: Limerick County

Background: 

TWO front-bench TDs will bid to be re-elected in the three-seater Limerick County constituency, along with the general secretary of Independent Ireland.

The rural constituency's boundaries remain unchanged since the last local election, and covers the vast majority of Limerick, minus the urban areas, and a part of the north and east of the county towards the Tipperary border.

Thriving towns and villages like Kilmallock, Bruff and Newcastle West form part of the constituency, which stretches out to the Kerry border near Abbeyfeale.

Prior to the 2016 General Election, three constituencies covered Limerick, with the county split between West Limerick-North Kerry and Limerick County.

But that has changed back to just one constituency, and as always, expect it to be fiercely competitive.

The faces: 

Fine Gael's Patrick O'Donovan - promoted to cabinet when Taoiseach Simon Harris came to power earlier this year - will hope to keep a seat he has held since 2011.

He will complete with Fianna Fail's Niall Collins, a Minister of State and a TD since 2007.

Former Fianna Fail councillor Richard O'Donoghue was elected as an Independent in 2020.

Now as general secretary of Independent Ireland, he will hope to hold onto his berth.

There looks set to be at least three people with the Collins name on the ballot in Limerick County.

Niall Collins is joined by running mate Cllr Bridie Collins, Adare. And Sinn Fein is putting forward Joanna Collins of Cappaghh.

Pallasgreen is shaping up to be something of a battleground, with Cllr Noreen Stokes joining Mr O'Donovan on the Fine Gael ticket.

The Green Party's Rob O'Donnell is also from the village. And also from Pallasgreen, but standing for Aontu is former school principal Michael Ryan.

Also on the ticket and running Independent are Jim Barrett from Newcastle West and Richie Crehan from Fedamore, both businessmen.

People Before Profit are fielding Laura Fahey.

The Irish Freedom Party will be represented by Donna O'Loughlin from Athaa.

Lorraine O'Sullivan is running for the National Alliance.

And Irish Animal Welfare Party representative Gerben Uunk, of Newcastle West, will hope it's a case of second time lucky, after running in the inaugural mayoral election back in June.

CANDIDATE LIST

Jim Barrett, Independent

Cllr Bridie Collins Fianna Fail

Joanne Collins Sinn Fein

Deputy Niall Collins Fianna Fail

Richie Crehan Independent

Laura Fahy,  People Before Profit

Rob O’Donnell,  Green Party

Deputy Richard O’Donoghue,  Independent Ireland

Deputy Patrick O’Donovan Fine Gael

Donna O’Loughlin,  Irish Freedom Party

Lorraine O’Sullivan, National Alliance

Michael Ryan,  Aontu

April Sheehan Corkery Independent

Cllr Noreen Stokes Fine Gael 

Gerben Uunk, Irish Animal Welfare party