Dublin Sinn Féin Councillor steps down and announces new life in Australia
Sinn Féin Councillor Niamh Fennell has decided to step down from South Dublin County Council.
As a Palmerstown Fonthill public representative since 2024, former Cllr Fennell revealed on social media that “after months of careful consideration and long and hard conversations” she’s decided to leave Irish politics for a new life in Australia . She said she ran for election in 2024 with the hope of helping her community and making it a better place to live, and feels she achieved that through motions that have helped many people.
“There have been some success stories and many more challenging ones. However I am proud of what I have achieved to date,” she said.
“This has not come without the fantastic support I have gotten from an incredible party. My comrades in Sinn Féin have been my backbone as a councillor."
Speaking about her next steps, Ms Fennell said that for many reasons, "some personal and some political," she's decided on a "new adventure" in a place "with a little more hope.". "Australia has been a destination for many young Irish people. For work, for a future, for a home and for a better lifestyle," she said.
"I am one of those young people who doesn’t have a home to call my own, who’s faced with the pressure of the cost of living and who’s hope of a future in Ireland is fading away. I’ve made the choice along with thousands of other to go, to leave behind the beautiful island I call home, with the hopes of starting a life I deserve elsewhere.
"This has not been an easy choice and I’ve done all I could to try and make things work here. Unfortunately, for many reasons, that has not been a possibility. One day I hope I can come home, but until that day, all I can say is…. Slán"
Ms Fennel particularly thanked her party colleague Mark Ward TD, who has been "a huge support, from day one when he asked me to get involved, right up until today."
"I can’t thank him enough for every opportunity, for putting his faith in me and guiding me every step of the way. To all the Dublin Mid-West team who support with canvassing, dropping information leaflets, admin, sharing social media posts and everything else that comes along with it Thank you!" she said.
“I also want to thank each and every person who came out on the 7th of June 2024 and decided to vote for me. Without you I would have never had the opportunity to represent you, to work for you, to hear you, to voice your opinions, help and support you. Your vote has allowed me to learn, to grow and to create little pockets of change within our community!
“My fellow councillors Cllr William Carey, Cllr Louise Dunne-Sinn Féin-Tallaght South, Niamh Whelan & Cllr Róisín Mannion - Sinn Féin it has been an absolute pleasure working alongside you in the chamber and I am wishing you all the best as you continue your journey as councillors.
When a councillor resigns from their role, their party nominates a replacement candidate. This is referred to as a causal vacancy and their seat can be co-opted by the nominee after the local authority formally approves them.
"As a party we will select an excellent replacement to take up my seat and continue the work I have started. I have no doubt they will make an incredible councillor and be an amazing representative for North Clondalkin, Fonthill & Palmerstown," Ms Fennell said.
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