Limerick academic kicks off bid for European elections

LABOUR’S Dr Niamh Hourigan has officially launched her bid for the European parliament, in Limerick city centre.

House Bar on the banks of the River Shannon was the venue for the event, as Dr Hourigan, an academic and sociologist, bids to win a Labour seat in Ireland South for the first time since 2009 when Alan Kelly achieved the feat.

The former party leader was present at the launch of her event, which was carried out by former TD Jan O’Sullivan who served as Education Minister, and represented Limerick between 1998 and 2020.

Speaking at the event, Ms O’Sullivan said: “We are really proud that Niamh is our candidate. Niamh brings a wealth of experience and expertise which would be of huge service to the people of Ireland South in the European parliament. She’s also an experienced academic and senior manager with a strong record in a range of important areas including education, justice and social exclusion.”

She believes as things stand, Ireland South is badly served in relation to Limerick, with the sitting MEPs hailing from Kerry, Cork, Waterford and Wexford.

“We strongly need an MEP from North Munster and the Mid-West,” added Ms O'Sullivan.

Ms Hourigan from North Circular Road in Limerick city is the vice-president of academic affairs at Mary Immaculate College and has worked as a sociologist for the last 25 years.

Speaking at her launch, Ms Hourigan stressed the importance of securing strong representation for the Ireland South region at this particularly politically fractious time.

“We are reaching a critical moment in Europe. On one hand, the EU through its rules, and regulations has more control over us than ever before. On the other hand, the EU has never been more polarised, never been more vulnerable to external threat,” she said.

Ms Hourigan believes the European Parliament continues to grow in its power and influence.

“It’s never been more important to have people there who can articulate the concerns of the people of Ireland South.”

Mr Kelly - who resigned his seat in Europe following his election to the Dail in 2011 - said: “Ireland has no representation in the second largest group in the European parliament, the Socialists and Democrats. It also means that the Mid-West has been lacking representation at EU level.

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“It’s so important that we can have a voice that can articulate what we need as a region.”

The launch event took place at House Limerick just hours after confirmation that the Local and European Elections would take place in Ireland on Friday, June 7, 2024.

Ms Hourigan is a mother-of-two and is the daughter of former Mayor of Limerick, Michael Hourigan. She is a sister of Green Party TD, Neasa Hourigan.