The Social Democrats have confirmed a change of candidate in the Dún Laoghaire constituency for the upcoming general election.
Sinead Gibney, the previously-selected candidate, has withdrawn from the election as she is no longer in a position to contest a seat. The snap election came at a time when Sinead was in the process of pursuing another career opportunity and it is no longer possible to maintain her candidacy while doing so.
The party’s National Executive has now selected Cllr Dave Quinn as our new candidate in the Dún Laoghaire constituency. Cllr Quinn was elected in last May’s local elections for the Dún Laoghaire Local Electoral Area and is actively involved in the current branch campaign in the constituency. Cllr Quinn has lived in the Monkstown area for over 20 years, raising a family of four children. He is an engineering graduate from Trinity College and started a successful computer software company in 1980, employing people in Dun Laoghaire.
Along with other local parents, he helped start The Red Door in 2001, a special school for children with autism. Cllr Quinn is a former board member of Inclusion Ireland, the national organisation representing people with intellectual disabilities.
Party Co-Leader Catherine Murphy said:
“We thank Sinead Gibney for her time and effort as a Social Democrats candidate and wish her the best in her future career. Her decision to step back is the correct one. We are delighted to be able to select a candidate of the calibre and community commitment of Cllr Dave Quinn for the party in Dún Laoghaire. His hard work in disability rights, his successful experience in business and his transformative work on Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council even in the short period since he was elected show the very best of Social Democratic values. Local branch members know Cllr Quinn is the best candidate in the Dún Laoghaire constituency to stand up for progressive social democratic politics and are excited to hit the campaign trail with him.”
ENDS
22nd Jan 2020.