THE LABOUR PARTY has selected its candidate for the upcoming Dublin Central by-election, with almost all parties now having selected runners.

Ruth O’Dea, a community activist and staff member in its local TD Marie Sherlock’s constituency office, will contest the seat following a convention held yesterday in the Teachers’ Club in Parnell Square. She previously spent 11 years in Women’s Aid overseeing training.

Speaking afterwards, O’Dea said said she would contest the 22 May election on a platform focused on housing, public services and community integration.

“Every day I see the huge amount of work that needs to be done across Dublin Central,” O’Dea said in a statement released by the party.

“Families struggle to secure housing, parents fight for school places, and communities feel stretched. I have the experience, energy and insight to mount a strong campaign and to represent the people of Dublin Central.”

O’Dea pointed to her time with Women’s Aid as where she “felt proud to play a part in changing how Irish society understands and confronts domestic violence and abuse”.

“As a feminist activist, I campaigned in the 1992 referendums, opposed the repressive 2002 amendment and worked tirelessly to repeal the Eighth Amendment in 2018. I believe in standing up, organising and winning change,” O’Dea said.

In its statement outlining the candidate’s credentials, Labour said O’Dea has “lived in the north inner city for nearly 30 years, where she raised her family and built deep roots in the community”, with her local priorities including securing a special school for Dublin 1 and restarting and completing the Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire project.

“I want our city to be a liveable city where people can find safe and affordable homes and no child grows up in sub standard accommodation,” O’Dea added.

Local TD Sherlock welcomed O’Dea’s selection and praised her record of service.

“She understands the pressures families face because she works with them every day She is in touch with the issues on the ground across Dublin Central and she brings energy, compassion and steel to everything she does,” Sherlock said.

So far, the other confirmed candidates in Dublin Central are Janice Boylan for Sinn Féin, Janet Horner for the Green Party, Daniel Ennis for the Social Democrats, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin for People Before Profit, Ian Noel Smyth for Aontú and Malachy Steenson and Gerry Hutch as Independents.

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are both due to complete their selection processes in the coming weeks.