Social Democrats reveal candidate in race to be first directly elected mayor of Limerick

THE SOCIAL Democrats have picked sitting councillor Elisa O'Donovan to be its candidate in the upcoming mayoral election.

The City West member, who was first elected to the local authority in 2019, will fly the flag for the party with the contest taking place on Friday, June 7.

In declaring her candidacy - which she did on the banks of Rathkeale's River Deel near her home parish - she becomes the first serving councillor to formally enter the race.

If elected, she has pledged to make buildings "safe and proud spaces".

Cllr O'Donovan, pictured below, also wants to see a cleaner environment, better public health and well-being as well as transparent decision making.

"I am hugely ambitious for Limerick and its future. I know that, with the right leadership, Limerick can thrive and become the best place in Ireland to live," she said. "As a frontline healthcare worker, I have a different perspective than many in politics. My work has taught me valuable lessons about the resilience of the people who live here; the strength of our local communities and the deficits we have in so many of our important services."

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She believes Limerick's potential is being wasted because of a lack of focus and priority from central government.

"I know with the right mayor in place – one who values honesty, integrity and accountability – we can change that," she added.

"My vision for Limerick is very clear. I want to build a Limerick that is fair, creative, prosperous and healthy. I want to build safer spaces for everyone in our city and county. I want to prioritise better public services and amenities so we can build strong and healthy communities," added Cllr O'Donovan.

If returned as the first directly elected mayor of Limerick, she hopes Shannonside can become the "greenest and cleanest" county in Ireland.

"The role of mayor in Limerick is a new one and whoever is elected will shape the future growth and development of the county for the next five years. The stakes could not be higher and we must get this right," she concluded.

The Social Democrats councillor joins a rapidly growing list of candidates for the inaugural election.

First to declare in December was Green Party TD Brian Leddin, who was followed by People Before Profit's Ruairi Fahy, who is also seeking a council seat on the northside.

Former secretary general at the Department of Finance John Moran and city businesswoman Helen O'Donnell will both run as Independent candidates.

Dee Ryan, who was Limerick Chamber chief executive up to this week, was formally adopted as Fianna Fail's candidate.

More declarations are likely in the days and weeks ahead.