Who is Daniel Ennis? All you need to know about Dublin's newest TD

The Social Democrats member has only been in politics for three years

22/05/2026

He is the former footballer who has taken a seat previously held by a former finance minister, but who is the newest TD for Dublin Central?

Daniel Ennis has only been in politics for three years, saying that the trigger for him was seeing people in his home area becoming involved in anti-immigration marches, something he wished to counteract. 

He had previously been involved in a campaign for sports facilities at the Alfie Byrne Road.

Mr Ennis is from North Strand in Dublin's north inner city where he lives with his fiancé and two children and during a canvas a week before the election told the Irish Examiner that he was driven by "a desire to do better... it's a desire to drive change".

Having been friends with constituency-mate Gary Gannon playing football growing up, Mr Ennis later went to work in his friend's constituency office and was elected to Dublin City Council in the local elections in 2024. 

Ennis was previously a League of Ireland footballer and is a volunteer with East Wall Bessborough Football Club before entering politics three years ago. 

22/05/2026

He also worked in the constituency office of party colleague Gary Gannon TD.

He said that his pride for his area comes from his family.

"I look at my own family, and I always say about my grandmother who grew up born in the area in the thirties and hadn't got a penny. And I'm not joking, she passed away a few years ago, but she would give you the shirt off her back. You talk about decency and that almost becomes a badge of honour around there because my family members that, again, grew up with very little, but would give you literally half a sandwich."

He has said that his interests in sports and culture inform much of his philosophy.

"I believe sports and culture should be enjoyed by everyone. No matter what your background is, everyone deserves to live and love their best sporting lives. We must strive to become more inclusive and accessible communities for all with better facilities, disability infrastructure and civil architecture suited to people of all ages and abilities."