Meet the candidates: who's running in Kildare South
Some of the candidates running in Kildare South
Kildare South
Seats 4*, candidates 15.
BERRY, Cathal (Independent)
I'm a sitting Independent TD running for re-election to Dáil Éireann. I've never been a member of any political party, and I'm not affiliated to any other independent candidate. I'm a farmer's son, medical doctor and former Army Ranger.
If re-elected, I pledge to continue to engage exclusively in constructive politics, on a cross-party basis, and I will work tirelessly for both constituency and country. My priorities include housing tackling dereliction and encouraging the use of one-off rural housing and modular homes for urgently needed affordable accommodation. In health care, I wish to see Increased funding for primary care, mental health and disability services. Better support for carers. In education, my priority is more places in schools and on school buses across South Kildare, as well as increased resourcing of childcare, early education, and special education. I also wish to phase out university fees. I want more financial support for farmers and small businesses along with investment in public transport and sports facilities. I wish to see better resourcing of our Garda Síochána and Defence Forces. Apart from politics, I love playing guitar, going for a run on the Curragh, attending sports matches and catching up with friends over a cuppa.
BYRNE, Melissa (Aontú)
I recently graduated with first-class honours in English and Anthropology. I work as an Outreach Officer for Students for Life. In the recent local elections, I was involved in a marathon recount where I narrowly missed out on a seat in the Newbridge LEA.
I’m running for the general elections because we're in a time when politicians will go whatever way the wind is blowing. I want to bring a sense of integrity to Kildare South. We have been underserved and underfunded for too long. What we need is a politician with a backbone who will fight for better allocation of resources.
If I’m successful I want to see proper investment. There is a lack of affordable housing, childcare, school places, GPs and recreational facilities. It would be great to see the development of youth cafes for teenagers. In a broader sense my party is focused on growing garda numbers and implementing a robust and efficient immigration policy.
Outside of politics, I love going for a run and baking. I’m really interested in photography and spend whatever spare time I have writing short stories. I also have six nieces and nephews who all live in Kildare so I love helping them with their homework and bringing them out on trips.
CARTON William (Willie)
(Independent Ireland)
I’m a proud lifelong resident of Ballitore, Co Kildare. I work with Kildare County Council’s roads division, where I see firsthand the impact of local and national policies on our communities. I’m a husband and father of three boys, deeply rooted in our community, and participate in local events. I am honoured to have a strong network of friends and family supporting me. I’m running in this election to represent the people of Kildare South with a focus on practical, family-centred solutions that puts the community first. Over the past few years, families, farmers, and rural communities have felt the strain of the cost-of-living crisis, housing shortages, and limited access to essential services. Having come close to securing a council seat earlier this year, my commitment to real change has only strengthened. I want to ensure every resident feels valued and heard in our government. If elected, I will work toward affordable housing, fair support for working families, investment in rural infrastructure, educational reform, mental health resources, and fair immigration policy. Outside of politics, I enjoy quality time with my family, catching up with friends, and cheering on our local sports teams. I am passionate about fostering a tight-knit, inclusive community where everyone can participate fully and feel they belong.
CASEY Anthony
(Irish Freedom Party)
I am an ex-court registrar currently working as a carer. I grew up around the Castledermot area and studied in IT Carlow. I’ve acquired a PLC in social studies, level 7 strength & conditioning, and level 8 business. I’ve worked four years as a lift engineer and nine years in transport. I am running because, as a father of three, I am worried about the trends in this country. Our health service, on its knees. Our hospitality sector, destroyed. Housing, unaffordable. Crime, record high. Funding for essential services, non-existent and record emigration from a country with nothing to offer. If I get a seat I intend on representing the working class, those barely keeping the wolf from the door; the single parent struggling to find services for their autistic child; the young couple who cannot afford to start a family and the worker paying scandalous taxation on every bit of overtime.
My interests outside of politics include playing Irish folk music with my brothers, practising my Christian faith, keeping fit by running/weights, reading up on the latest social-economic studies, writing economic policy, podcasting on the A. Casey Podcast, and co-hosting the Irish Column Show every Sunday night.
HEYDON, Martin
(Fine Gael)
I have been Fine Gael TD for Kildare South since I was first elected in 2011. I have served as Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture since 2020 and am proud to represent Kildare. I live in rural South Kildare with my wife, Brianne and our four children As Kildare’s Minister in Government, I’ve championed more jobs, better infrastructure, and improved local facilities. But I want to achieve more and build a better Kildare.
I want to secure fairer fares for Kildare South commuters, a second bridge for Newbridge, and a properly resourced conservation management plan for the Curragh Plains.
I will fight for more homes, additional Gardai, and improved health services for our local communities along with more school places including better services for those with additional educational needs and more affordable childcare.
I will continue to support farmers, businesses, and deliver more sports facilities and a swimming pool.
Outside of politics, as a father of four young children spare time is in short supply, but we do enjoy our GAA for both club and county, as well as horse racing, athletics and using many of the outdoor recreation facilities across South Kildare from the Barrow Blueway to the Curragh plains.
O’LOUGHLIN Fiona (Fianna Fáil)
I am in politics to advocate for our community in south Kildare. I believe it is a great place with great people and lots of potential. Our schools and clubs are filled with young people bursting with energy and talent. Successful local businesses provide world-class services and employment. Our sporting, literary and cultural heritage is rich. Our challenge is to build on these resources, to tackle inequalities and to provide a safer and more sustainable future for all. As an experienced public representative, I have a strong voice, a clear vision and unmatched commitment and ambition to deliver for our community. I have introduced legislation to protect the Curragh plains; to establish a domestic violence register, to support state funding for IVF; been a very strong advocate for women’s health initiatives and as Fianna Fáil spokesperson for Education, championed the free schoolbooks scheme. I also ensured that the “fairer fares” initiative became government policy. I initiated the OWL programme, an internship programme for people with intellectual disabilities in the Oireachtas. I also secured a permanent dementia day care centre for South Kildare. Other issues I have worked on are increased garda presence, disability services, affordable homes, tackling dereliction, education investment and support for SMEs, agriculture and equine industry.
O’Neill Leanne
(Independent)
I am a 36-year-old young woman born and raised in Newbridge. I studied children’s and general nursing (2008-2012) in UCD and I have since worked in many areas of the medical field. In more recent years I have set up my own small businesses. I have been a long-standing advocate in our community, and I ran in the local elections too. I want to ensure that Kildare South has true representation over the next 5 years. We need a true independent TD that will raise our concerns in Dail Eireann and ensure that our communities are listened to and supported. My main priorities going forward include, but are not limited to, physical deportations of any IPAS individual who has been served with a deportation order, arrived to Ireland with no or false documentation from a designated safe zone or from any other EU county, restrictions on non-nationals purchasing a house, or receiving social housing within the first five years of living in Ireland and for Ireland to opt out of the EU immigration pact. Outside of politics, I have many interests. I love my dogs Ted and Luna, who are both rescues, Luna recently adopted from Huskey Rescue Ireland.
Ní Raghallaigh Shónagh
(Sinn Féin)
I am a dedicated Múinteoir in Gaelscoil Mhic Aodha in Kildare town and a newly elected county councillor. I am a proud mother of four and passionate about community development and social justice. I have a strong track record of advocacy.
I am running in this election because I firmly believe Sinn Féin is the only party capable of delivering the big changes needed to support families and communities that have been neglected by successive governments. In Kildare, we face pressing issues that demand urgent action, including a shortage of school places, unaffordable train fares, and a housing crisis exacerbated by dereliction. Additionally, access to healthcare remains a major challenge, particularly for our older population and individuals with disabilities. Sinn Féin is committed to addressing these challenges and ensuring a future where everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has the support they deserve Outside of her political work, I enjoy spending time with her family who she raises through Irish and exploring an Gaeilge agus cultúr leo. Art is a big passion, especially painting and drawing. I also enjoys going to the theatre, experiencing live performances, and attending music gigs. I’m an avid reader, and love history and storytelling, finding inspiration in the rich culture and heritage locally. Creativity and culture are important parts of my life.
PENDER, Chris
(Social Democrats)
As your county councillor and General Election candidate, I'm dedicated to making tangible improvements in Kildare South. Based in Newbridge, I'm running to provide proactive, dedicated leadership that truly understands and responds to our community's needs. My platform includes securing sustainable housing, ensuring accessible and comprehensive healthcare, particularly in mental health, and advocating for the construction of a new secondary school in Newbridge. I am also committed to environmental sustainability and enhancing public transportation, alongside robust support for our Defence Forces families. Outside of politics, my passion for the arts and community festivals keeps me deeply connected to our cultural life, enriching our community's diverse landscape. These interests not only inform my understanding but also enhance my commitment to improving our quality of life.
RYAN Patricia (Independent)
Over the past 5 years I have been honoured to represent the people of Kildare South in Dáil Eireann. I have used my voice to help people access housing, and have consistently raised the lack of social and affordable homes, underutilised and boarded up social housing stock, and called for action on rising homeless figures. I have highlighted the urgent need for more GPs and community health services, called attention to hospital waiting times, and advocated for better support for home care services and family carers. I have fought for more garda resources in the area. I have enabled better access to public transport for people by securing children’s school bus places, successfully bringing new bus routes to rural towns and villages, and supported commuters in their fight to bring cheaper fares to Newbridge and Kildare Town. I have supported our young people through promotion of initiatives for sports and youth clubs, afterschool childcare, and advocated for a fit-for-purpose youth focused mental health service, an area that I feel is desperately underfunded. I have worked towards a sustainable environmental and green policy that would bring about a region that all communities would be proud to call home. If re-elected I will continue to fight for the people of Kildare South every day.
SOOD Monaa K
(Green Party)
I am a pharmacist by profession, married to Dr Deepak Kumar who is a 'doctor of audiology' and we have two young children. I have been living in Co Kildare for more than 20 years and longer in Ireland.
Ireland is my new home country, and I have equal responsibility and commitment to make Ireland an even better place to live.
I have been involved in community work for a number of years and I worked tirelessly during COVID.
I decided to join politics because I want to make a difference in people's life and bring changes to Kildare South. I have seen the crisis in healthcare, housing, infrastructure and growing social equality and justice issues.
It's important to work on the root cause of any issue. Building more homes without a proper infrastructure is not the solution. There are hundreds of new houses built in Newbridge without adequate infrastructure.
It's time we bring change in politics, or we'll come back again before the next general election and will discuss the same issue. I have made my choice and now, it's up to the people of Kildare South to decide. Outside of politics, my number one interest is to care for my family and my children. I like to travel, meet people, try different cuisines.
WALL Mark (Labour)
I have been involved in politics at a local and national level for the past thirty years.
My earliest election memory is of canvassing with my father, Jack, for the 1992 general election. I have been active in every local election, referendum and general election since then.
I went to school in Churchtown and to Athy CBS. I worked as a quality manager at Smurfits in Dublin.
I have a great love of sport, having played football for Castlemitchell and Hurling for Athy and I have had the opportunity to coach, underage and ladies teams in both codes to county success. When not working for the people of south Kildare I like to walk my dog, Noah, on the Barrow Blueway and spend what spare time I have gardening.
A former town and county councillor, I was elected to Seanad Eireann in 2020. I have continued to use my voice to highlight the issues impacting all of society at present; the lack of social and affordable housing, homelessness, deprivation and inequality, unemployment, the lack of school places, especially special school places, failed health services, insufficient funding for carers and people with disability, as well as lobbying for increased garda numbers and working with organisations seeking better conditions for our defence forces.
