O Brolchain elected to Seanad

The former mayor of Galway Niall Ó Brolcháin was today elected to Seanad Éireann. The Green Party’s candidate saw off challenges from Fine Gael’s Owen Bannigan and the Labour Party’s James Heffernan, taking 119 first preference votes. The total valid poll was 205.

Senator Ó Brolcháin said: "I am honoured to have been elected to the Seanad, and I promise to repay those that endorsed my candidacy with hard work and commitment. I believe that I will bring a fresh perspective into Seanad Éireann and make valuable contributions to its work. I am very happy to have been given an opportunity to again represent the people of Galway and the West, and I will work hard on their behalf.”

Green Party Leader and Environment Minister John Gormley added: "Niall will make a very fine Senator and I thank my Oireachtas colleagues for supporting his candidacy. With his business and agricultural experience and commitment to community activism, Niall will make a very good addition to Seanad Éireann and I wish him every success in the years ahead of us."

Short biography:
A former Mayor of Galway with strong experience of community activism, Niall Ó Brolcháin has been active in community work and politics for more than two decades. He served on Galway City Council from 2004-2009 and served as Mayor of Galway City from 2006 to 2007.

He has considerable experience in the organic farming sector and in the dairy industry.

A founder member of Galway City Community Forum and the founder of Galway Environmental Alliance, Niall has also chaired Galway City’s Environment Strategic Policy Committee, the Natural Environment and Waterways Committee and was vice chair of the Western River Basin District Project. He is on the Galway County Development Board and the boards of Youthwork Ireland and Galway City Partnership.
He lives in Galway City with his wife and five children.