Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan to run in Limerick mayoral election 

Maurice Quinlivan announced his candidacy on Wednesday. File Picture: Liam Burke/Press 22

Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan has entered the race to become Limerick's first directly-elected mayor.

Mr Quinlivan, who lives on the northside of the city, was first elected to the Dáil in 2016, and returned in 2020. Prior to that, he served as a councillor for Limerick City and County Council.

Announcing his candidacy on Wednesday, Mr Quinlivan said he was seeking his party’s nomination to “serve as a mayor for all of the people of Limerick”.

“The people of Limerick need a voice who will stand up for Limerick, who will work hard to ensure we get a fair deal from Government and that our city and county work better for its people,” he said.

“That is what I am committed to delivering.” 

In a statement, Mr Quinlivan said Limerick’s potential needed to be unlocked by “delivering meaningful change” for the people who live and work there.

“People need to see change at University Hospital Limerick, so they can have confidence that they and their loved ones will get the quality healthcare they need, when they need it. People need affordable housing and an end to the housing crisis,” he added.

“People need to see regeneration of both our city and the county’s towns and villages through investment in our communities, a plan to deliver quality job opportunities and ensuring businesses and the tourism sector can thrive.” 

Mr Quinlivan is the 10th person, and the second sitting TD, to enter the race. In December 2023, Green Party TD Brian Leddin also announced he would be running. 

Other candidates in the race include Social Democrats councillor Elisa O'Donovan, housing activist Ruairí Fahy, who is running for People Before Profit, and former Limerick Chamber chief Dee Ryan, who is running for Fianna Fáil.

Two independents — former secretary general at the Department of Finance, John Moran, and Limerick Tidy Towns chairperson, Helen O'Donnell — have also declared.

Sarah Beasley will run for Aontú, Dr Laura Keyes is the mayoral candidate for Rabharta, the party for workers and carers, and Gerben Uunk, co-founder of the Party of Animal Welfare, has also declared.

Fine Gael and the Labour Party have not yet announced candidates for the election. 

The Limerick mayoral election will take place on June 7, alongside local and European elections. 

Thereafter, Limerick will become the first local authority in Ireland to have a directly elected mayor, following a plebiscite held at the previous council election in 2019.