Shane Hickey-O'Mara hopes to bring 'empathy, creativity and drive' to Limerick City and County Council

SOCIAL Democrats councillor Shane Hickey-O'Mara has been elected to City North.

The first-time candidate secured an overall vote of 1,092 and was returned to the constituency without reaching the quota.

Hailing from Caherdavin, the newly-elected councillor works as a psychotherapist and artistic director at County Limerick Youth Theatre.

"It's such a privilege," he said, upon his election.

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"We have had the most positive campaign, the most beautiful teams. I want to say thank you to everybody who spoke to me at the doors and shared their stories, their ideas and creativity. I really appreciate it."

"Thank you everybody who gave me a vote, who gave me a chance," Cllr Hickey-O'Mara said.

He pledged to bring "empathy, creativity and drive" to Limerick City and County Council.

The new councillor also paid tribute to his fellow election candidates in the Social Democrats, Cllr Elisa O'Donovan and Donnah Vuma.

"The campaign has been a joy. Donnah and Elisa are two of my heroes. To be side by side with them fighting this fight has been so important to me. It's been moving, it's been inspring."

Cllr Hickey-O'Mara took the seventh and final seat in City North.

The count for this constituency is now complete.