There have been sixteen candidates that have nominated themselves to run for Seanad Éireann in the University of Dublin (Trinity College) Constituency. The candidates for election include two current incumbents, Tom Clonan and Lynn Ruane.
Tom Clonan was first elected to the Seanad in the 2022 by-election following Ivana Bacik’s election to Dáil Éireann. Clonan is a retired Irish Army Captain, and previously worked as a security analyst for The Irish Times.
Lynn Ruane has been a Senator for the Dublin University constituency since 2016. She is a member of the Civil Engagement Group in the Seanad. Ruane previously served as President of Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU). Ruane is an active campaigner in favour of drug decriminalisation.
Katherine Zappone, an independent politician who previously served as the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, is also set to contest the election. She lost her Dáil seat in the 2020 general election. She also co-founded An Cosán, an organisation focusing on adult education.
Two members of the Green Party are set to contest the election, Hazel Chu and Ossain Smyth.
Hazel Chu is a member of Dublin City Council, having previously served as Lord Mayor of Dublin. She previously unsuccessfully contested the 2022 Dublin University by-election and the 2024 General Election in Dublin Bay South.
Ossain Smyth has previously served as a Minister of State and TD for Dún Laoghaire before losing his seat in the 2024 General Election.
Hugo MacNeill, who formerly played rugby for Leinster and for the Irish National Team, is also set to contest the election. He later worked as a Director for Goldman Sachs, and is married to Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, a Fine Gael TD and Minister of State.
Other candidates include Paul Mulville, a Social Democrats councilor on Fingal County Council and Sadhbh O’Neill, a Labour party member who unsuccessfully contested the 2024 General Election in Waterford.
All Trinity graduates who are Irish citizens and over 21 years of age are eligible to vote. The election will take place via mail in ballots, and ballots will be mailed to registered voters. Polls close on January 29th, 2025.
The full list of candidates is as follows: Abbas Ali O’Shea, Derek Byrne, Kevin Byrne, Hazel Chu, Tom Clonan, Laoise de Brún, Hugo MacNeill, Marcus Matthews, Aubrey McCarthy, John (Jack) Mulcahy, Paul Mulville, Ade Oluborode, Sadhbh O’Neill, Lynn Ruane, Ossian Smyth, Katherine Zappone.
