Louis O'Hara
Louis O'Hara | |
|---|---|
.jpg) O'Hara in 2022 | |
| Teachta Dála | |
| Assumed office November 2024 | |
| Constituency | Galway East |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1997 or 1998 (age 26–27)[1] |
| Political party | Sinn Féin |
| Alma mater | University of Galway |
Louis O'Hara (born 1997/1998) is an Irish Sinn Féin politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Galway East constituency since the 2024 general election.[2] O'Hara is the first Sinn Féin TD to represent Galway East since the 1920s.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]The son of a solicitor,[1] O'Hara is from Cashla, a townland in Athenry civil parish. O'Hara graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Public and Social Policy and a Master of Arts (MA) in Public Activism and Advocacy, both from the University of Galway.[1][3]
Political career
[edit]O'Hara joined Sinn Féin at the age of 17, stating he was drawn in by the party's focus on representing young people.[4]
O'Hara missed out on a seat on Galway County Council in the 2019 Irish local elections and again in the 2020 Irish general election.[4]
In 2020 O'Hara criticised Sinn Féin's Northern Ireland Finance Minister Conor Murphy after Murphy stated that Paul Quinn, who was murdered in 2007, was involved in smuggling and criminality.[1]
O'Hara successfully secured a council seat in the June 2024 Irish local elections.[4]
Political views
[edit]O’Hara has campaigned on the issues of housing, health, transport, and rural development, with a particular focus on reopening the Western Railway Corridor to connect Tuam and Athenry with Galway City. O'Hara blames corporations for climate change; His 2020 manifesto stated "If we are serious about tackling the climate crisis we must target those who are responsible for pollution".[1]
O’Hara has stated his support for improved mental health services, enhanced rural policing, and called for a "liberal approach" to asylum seekers. He has also highlighted the need for stronger promotion of rural Ireland to attract business investment, citing the halted Apple project in Athenry as a missed economic opportunity.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g "Young Blood: Louis O'Hara". The Phoenix. 13 January 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
- ^ Corrigan, Stephen (1 December 2024). "Galway East: Election of Roche (FG) and O'Hara (SF) completes the count". Connacht Tribune. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
- ^ "Sinn Féin select Louis O'Hara to contest general election in Galway East". Galway Bay FM. 19 January 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
- ^ a b c McGlynn, Michelle (29 September 2024). "Sinn Féin set to appeal to a new generation of the electorate". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 1 December 2024.