Galway councillor Eibhlín Seoighthe confirms she will not run for open TD seat
Galway City councillor Eibhlín Seoighthe has confirmed she will not contest the Galway West TD seat in the upcoming by-election, expected to be held in 2026.
The former Social Democrats councillor, who now sits as an independent, said the decision “was not taken lightly”. In a statement issued on Saturday, January 10, Cllr Seoighthe said she had reflected carefully on the demands of a national campaign before deciding to step aside.
“Over recent weeks, I have reflected carefully on the personal, professional, and community commitments required to mount a meaningful campaign,” she said. “At this time, I believe it is in the best interests of both myself and the wider Galway West community that I step aside from the contest.”
Despite ruling herself out, Cllr Seoighthe said she remains “deeply committed to progressive politics” and urged voters to back candidates who prioritise workers’ rights, public services, housing and social justice, expressing hope that Galway West would return a representative willing to champion those issues.
The Government has until early May 2026 to issue the writ for the by-election, which will be held to fill the vacancy left by the election of Catherine Connolly as President.
Several candidates have already confirmed their intention to run for the seat, which would see them join the current Galway West TDs (which are Sinn Féin’s Mairéad Farrell, Fine Gael’s Hildegarde Naughton, Independent Noel Grealish, and Fianna Fáil’s John Connolly). Independent Ireland councillor Noel Thomas and former Green Party councillor Niall Murphy have both confirmed their running.
Further declarations are expected in the coming months, with parties due to finalise their strategies in the New Year.