Social Democrats select Aidan Farrelly to contest general election in Kildare North

Prosperous native to fight to retain seat held by Catherine Murphy

Aiden Farrelly at the selection convention last night

Reporter:

Niamh O'Donoghue

25 Jul 2024 10:14 AM

Cllr Aidan Farrelly has been selected by the Social Democrats to represent the party in Kildare North in the General Election.

This follows the decision by co-founder and leader of the party, Kildare North TD Catherine Murphy, to stand down after more than 30 years in politics.

Aidan Farrelly is a second term county councillor and represents Clane Local Electoral Area. He was selected to run by the local branch at a selection convention in Ardclough Community Centre last night (Wednesday, July 24).

Aidan is a resident of Prosperous, having grown up in Clane. He is a lecturer in the department of Applied Social Studies in Maynooth University. He is former a Youth and Community Development worker and Team Leader with Kildare Youth Services, and opened the first Youth Project in Clane in 2008. Since then he has worked in many communities throughout Kildare including Naas, Celbridge, Kilcock, Leixlip, Straffan, Maynooth, Prosperous and others.

He is married with three children and he says that his experience of having a young family in North Kildare has encouraged him to seek change with issues such as childcare, access to education and lack of affordable housing contributing to his commitment to a fairer, more equal society.

Speaking after the selection convention, Cllr Farrelly said: “I’m delighted, humbled and honoured to have been selected by the branch. “I have big boots to fill following on from Catherine Murphy’s long service to her constituents and I look forward to getting stuck into the campaign to make sure the people of Kildare North continue to have a Social Democrat representing them.”

Welcoming Aidan’s selection, Catherine Murphy, TD, said: “I am delighted that we have a candidate the calibre of Aidan Farrelly nominated to run for the Social Democrats in Kildare North.

“If elected, he will be an incredible representative for the people of this constituency in Leinster House. “Aidan is one of the most ethical people I’ve come across, a passion I share – and he will be great advocate for the change that we need in Kildare North and in Ireland. “I wish him every success in his campaign and look forward to working with him to encourage the people of Kildare North to once again elect a Social Democrat TD.”

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