CONFIRMED: Elisa O'Donovan to run for Social Democrats in Limerick City

THE Social Democrats have selected sitting councillor Elisa O'Donovan as their general election candidate for Limerick City.

It comes with Limerick and the rest of the country set to go to the polls to elect a new Dail by March next year.

"I am so excited to be the party’s candidate in Limerick City and cannot wait to launch my general election campaign. I am hugely ambitious for Limerick and its future. I firmly believe that with the right leadership, Limerick will thrive and become one of the best places to live in Ireland," said Cllr O'Donovan.

She added: "Under this Government, the city has struggled to reach its full potential and has been badly impacted by ongoing underinvestment in healthcare, disability services and housing."

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First elected in 2019, Cllr O'Donovan was re-elected in 2024 with an increased vote share. She also ran to become the first directly elected mayor of Limerick.

If elected, she said she will focus on health and wellbeing at every stage of life and ensuring nobody faces challenges alone.

"As a frontline healthcare worker, I believe I can offer a unique perspective on what needs to be done to fix our health service, from the emergency department crisis in Limerick to the shortage of GPs throughout the city and county," she said.

“My vision for Limerick is clear – I want to build a city that is fair, creative, prosperous and healthy.”

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns added: "Limerick is a fantastic place with so much potential, but it requires public representatives with the right vision, skillset and work ethic to drive the city forward. Elisa has all of those attributes, as well as a genuine love of Limerick and a desire to improve life there for everyone. As a frontline health worker and councillor, she has demonstrated that she is fully committed to public service. I know that Elisa would make an exceptional TD and be an important new voice in national politics for the people of Limerick City."