Limerick businesswoman Helen O'Donnell puts name forward for its first elected mayor

Ms O'Donnell pledged to 'fast-track the economic regeneration of Limerick City and County'

Helen O'Donnell is a former honorary national secretary of Fine Gael with almost 30 years experience 'running one of Limerick’s best-loved institutions' — the Hunt Café at the Hunt Museum, and Dolmen Catering. File picture: Brian Gavin/ Press 22

Limerick businesswoman Helen O’Donnell has put her name forward for the city's inaugural directly elected mayor’s election, which will be held in June.

The widow of former Fine Gael Minister and MEP Tom O’Donnell has launched her independent bid for the role, which will carry an annual salary of €152,000.

Ms O’Donnell, 63, who is aunt of sitting Limerick Fine Gael Minister of State Kieran O’Donnell, pledged to campaign for “empowering our community for change”.

The directly elected mayor will have strategic executive powers over a five-year mandate to drive the economic development of Limerick City and County.

“The basis of my leadership strategy will be to fast-track the economic regeneration of Limerick City and County. My priority will be to deliver better housing, transport and environmental services — faster and more efficiently — for the people of Limerick,” said Ms O’Donnell.

Ms O’Donnell is a former honorary national secretary of Fine Gael with almost 30 years experience “running one of Limerick’s best-loved institutions” — the Hunt Cafe at the Hunt Museum, and Dolmen Catering.

She said: “If elected, I will work with all of the elected representatives, and with Limerick City and County Council, to deliver a budget of almost €1bn that will target the most pressing needs of the people of Limerick.” 

She said she had entered the race “because it will have the powers to tackle the major economic, housing, environmental and transport challenges facing the city and county”.

Others who have declared their candidacy include Limerick City Green Party TD Brian Leddin; John Moran, former head of the Land Development Agency and secretary of the Department of Finance under former minister Michael Noonan.

Ruairí Fahy of People before Profit has said he intends to stand in the election, and Dee Ryan, chief executive Limerick Chamber is the Fianna Fáil party’s only nominee for the role and is expected to be selected by the party as a candidate next week.