Solidarity councillor Kate Relihan co-opted to Fingal County Council
Kate Relihan has been co-opted onto Fingal County Council following the resignation of Solidarity councillor Helen Redwood on health grounds.
The new councillor was formally appointed at the local authority’s September meeting, taking up the seat in the Castleknock electoral area previously held by Ms Redwood.
Cllr Relihan, who unsuccessfully contested the 2024 local elections, said she was “honoured” to have been chosen by Solidarity to represent the Castleknock ward.
“I must begin by sincerely thanking Helen Redwood for her service on the Council and to acknowledge the very hard decision she had to make to resign for serious health reasons. We all wish Helen a full recovery,” she said at the meeting.
“I’ve lived, worked as a teacher and raised a family in Dublin 15. I look forward to representing the people of Castleknock, Clonsilla and Blakestown-Mountview on all the key issues.”
“None is more pressing than the need for affordable and social housing for workers, disabled people, older people and, of course, young people who are living with their parents into their thirties and emigrating in droves.”
“This is particularly evident in the Castleknock ward.”
Cllr Relihan said Fingal County Council had a “vital role” to play in using its “landbanks” to deliver affordable housing and address shortages among workers including teachers and nurses.
She added: “As a longtime trade union activist with the INTO, I am aware of how the lack of childcare, the cost of living, education issues, facilities for children and teens with additional needs, gender based violence and rising racism are affecting the people of Dublin 15.”
“I will use my council position to fight on these issues as well as all of the local council issues raised with me by residents.”
In August, Ms Redwood stepped down from the council because of health issues. She first contested a Fingal County Council election in 2004 in the Mulhuddart constituency as a member of the Socialist Party.
While Ms Redhood was not elected on that occasion, she continued as a local activist for more than two decades.
She was eventually co-opted onto Fingal County Council in early 2025, following Ruth Coppinger’s election to the Dáil in the 2024 general election.