Constituency: Tipperary North

Evan Barry of Johnswell Road, Kilkenny, says he will make sure that Kilkenny voices will be heard following a constituency change which see north west Kilkenny merged with Tipperary North. Mr Barry’s main concerns are increased national funding for the R693 route and an upgrade to the transport system, tackling rural crime, improved amenities and serviced sites, combating property dereliction, and adequate healthcare services including access to GPs and dentists.

Dr Phyll Bugler is a small business owner and has been working as a county councillor since 2004. She has been a member of the Ballina and Newport Tidy Towns Committees, a member of the Ballina - Killaloe Business Association and has also been involved in the Brian Ború 2014 Millennium celebrations. Dr Bugler was elected as Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council for 2017-18. She has a PhD in Organic Chemistry, has studied at Heidelberg University, the University of Limerick, and UCC, having previously attended Our Lady's Secondary School, Templemore. She lives in Ballina, is originally from the Clonmore and Templemore area, and serves the Nenagh municipal district.

Dan Harty was selected unopposed at a Sinn Féin selection convention in Nenagh in October. Mr Harty contested the local elections this year, garnering 742 first preference votes in the Thurles area. From Ballyvoneen, Holycross, Mr Harty has a long-term partner and three children. He works in retail, in a family veterinary supply business and on a small family farm at home. He has a degree in Archaeology and Celtic Civilisation and a post graduate degree in Business and Supply Chain Management. His main campaign interests include housing, healthcare, childcare, immigration policy and the rising cost of living.

Alan Kelly TD is Labour Party spokesperson on Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Born in the village of Portroe, he is married to Regina O’Connor and they have two children. Elected to Seanad Éireann in 2007, he later went on to be elected as an MEP for Munster in 2009. Two years later, he was elected to the Dáil representing North Tipperary and was appointed a Minister of State for Transport. 2014 saw Kelly elected Deputy Labour Party leader and appointed a Minister for the Environment. He was re-elected to the Dáil in 2016 and in 2020 became the 13th leader of the Labour Party, a role he held until 2022. His main concerns are healthcare, infrastructure, jobs, and housing.

The Independent Thurles-based TD is the leader of the Lowry Team of Councillors who hold five positions in local authorities in Tipperary. First elected to the Dáil in 1987, he previously served as a Minister for Transport and was a Chair of the Fine Gael party in the mid-90s. After resigning his Dáil seat amid controversy, Lowry was prevented from running for Fine Gael. As an Independent, he has been re-elected to the Dáil in Tipperary at every general election ever since. A businessman, he is involved in various companies, including Garuda Ltd, Abbeygreen Consulting, and livestock enterprises. His son Michéal is a Tipperary Councillor. His top priorities are young people, the family, senior citizens, and town regeneration.

Peter Madden is an independent candidate for Tipperary North, having previously ran as an MEP candidate in the European elections for Ireland South in 2019. Originally from Roscrea, Mr Madden attended school in Roscrea CBS, studied at UCD, and currently lives in Tallaght. Mr Madden attended the months-long protests at the Rackett Hall Hotel in relation to an IPAS centre there, and has been active in anti-immigration debates. Mr Madden has links to the National Alliance, regarded as being on the far right of the political spectrum.

Liam Minehan is from Knigh, outside Nenagh. He has previously stood for election as an MEP candidate in Ireland South, in response to what he says is the “complete lack of a future” he sees for his five grandchildren. A farmer, Liam Minehan describes himself as a “husband, father, grandfather” and is mainly concerned with rural issues. A top priority is that people have a choice in where they live and work.

Diana O’Dwyer has been a socialist activist for nearly 20 years. She has campaigned against water charges and for repeal, housing action and to stop the war in Gaza. She currently works as a researcher for People Before Profit. Ms O’Dwyer is opposed to Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in relation to corporate landlords, ‘vulture funds’ and big business, and wants to address housing and health, education, childcare and disability services. She would use wealth to build affordable housing, clear hospital waiting lists and provide free public childcare and education for all. Her concerns centre on climate action, renewable energy, expanded free public transport and biodiversity.

Cloughjordan-based Cllr Ryan O’Meara serves on the Nenagh municipal district area of Tipperary County Council representing Nenagh, Borrisokane and Lower Ormond, and is a committee member of the Regional Health Forum West and Comhairle na nÓg. He has served as a parliamentary assistant to Deputy Jackie Cahill, whose decision not to seek re-election prompted Cllr O’Meara’s decision to run for the Dáil. He has the endorsement of Cllr Kay Cahill Skehan, and three Kilkenny councillors. Cllr O’Meara is a former international officer at Ógra Fianna Fáil, and a former youth council member at the US Embassy in Dublin. He went to CBS Nenagh, and studied for a Masters of Common Law in UCD, and Economics and Politics in UCD.

Templemore resident Francis O’Toole is a secondary school teacher, guidance counsellor, psychotherapist, and author, and father of two young adults. Mr O’Toole supports a significant increase in Garda recruits at the Garda College, and will campaign for more community and youth facilities, halls and sports pitches in north Tipperary. His main concerns include education, mental health and family support services, housing reform, positive ageing, accountability in government, lowering rail fares for commuters, and improving roads to support those traveling daily to major cities for work and study.

Justin Roundy Phelan lives in Sheehane, Roscrea. He is a truck driver and went to Colaiste Phobal Community College. Mr Phelan feels strongly about immigration, farming issues and Irish history.

Iva Pocock grew up in Wicklow and Dublin, studied geography and journalism, and has lived in Sri Lanka and Belgium. She has worked for the Irish Times, Greenpeace and Trócaire and has a track record in environmental campaigning. Ms Pocock now works in communications. In 2015, she moved to the Cloughjordan Ecovillage, of which she is a founder. She has campaigned with Tipperary Together for Yes, was on the Tipperary Housing Strategic Policy Committee, and is a part of a local group supporting people to reduce energy bills.

Independent Cllr Jim Ryan has served as a councillor for over 25 years, and topped the poll in the Thurles area with 2,435 first preference votes in this year’s local elections. He serves in the Thurles municipal district area, and is a member of the Thurles Regional Arts Centre, and is highly involved in a range of local clubs, organisations, and festivals. The owner of Jim Ryan Financial, he attended school in CBS Thurles Secondary School, and studied BA Hons Degree in Accounting and Finance at Cork RTC and Portobello College. He is married to Annmarie Mullaney Ryan. His main priorities have included spearheading initiatives around Thurles.

Roscrea based Cllr Michael Smith serves as Cathaoirleach of Thurles Templemore Roscrea municipal district, and is a committee member of the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly and the Regional Health Forum South. Cllr Smith’s father, Michael Snr., served as a TD and Minister, and the family have a strong political support base in north east Tipperary. Cllr Smith has been involved in local politics for the last 20 years, and was re-elected in June, topping the poll in the Roscrea area with 2,460 first preference votes. He has been chairperson of the annual Taste of Roscrea Christmas festival and is involved in many local causes and organisations.