The Social Democrats are pleased to announce that Fingal County Councillor Paul Mulville has joined the party.

Mr Mulville (34) has been a councillor representing the Swords local electoral area since he first ran in the last local election in 2014 on three broad themes of accountability, representation and community.

Announcing the move, the party’s co-leaders Catherine Murphy TD and Roísín Shortall TD said:

“We’re delighted to welcome Paul to the Social Democrats. He is an energetic campaigner for local issues including the need for local job stimulus measures, social and affordable housing, improved public transport, and the building of Metro North.”

Party chairperson, Sarah Jane Henelly, added:

“Paul brings great experience and commitment to our growing party and the Dublin Fingal branch. Along with our party colleagues, we very much look forward to working with him in growing the Social Democrats movement as a dynamic force for change in Irish society.”

Commenting on his move, Cllr Mulville said:

“The Social Democrats are a new and energetic party challenging the status quo and standing for progressive policies, honest politics and a strong and sustainable economy. There are a great many people committed to building the party in Fingal and across the country, and having myself canvassed for the party in the last general election as a supporter, I’m delighted to be able to play a constructive role now as a member of the party which I believe has a very bright future.

“I will continue to work to represent the people of the Portrane, Donabate, Swords and the wider local electoral area as I have done since being elected as an independent councillor in 2014. As a progressive activist for many years, I believe through collective action it is truly possible to move towards a society and economy organised to the benefit of not just the few, but the many.”

With Cllr Mulville joining the party, the Social Democrats now have six elected councillors representing areas of Dublin City, South Dublin, as well as Fingal, Wicklow, and Cork. The party, founded in July 2015, is now organised in 26 constituencies and is developing branches in a further seven.

24 August 2017

Notes to Editors:

Paul has been a county councillor representing the Swords area since he first ran in the last local election in 2014 on three broad themes: accountability, representation and community.  Paul’s electoral area includes Portrane, Donabate, Swords, Santry, Kilsallaghan, Rolestown, St. Margaret’s, Rivermeade and Meakstown.

During the 2014 local elections, Paul campaigned on a number of local issues including: the need for local job stimulus measures; the need to provide social and affordable housing; a more visible Garda presence on the beat; the provision and development of youth facilities; the need for improved public transport and the building of Metro North; the need to rejuvenate the Swords Main Street and to open up Swords Castle; and the need to repair and re-open the then damaged and closed Donabate Portrane all weather pitch.

Having lived in the local area all his life, one of Paul’s main concerns is the ongoing threat of coastal erosion in Portrane, and the need for the council and state agencies to provide the funding to put in place long term sustainable measures to protect residents, businesses, and Portrane beach, a vital community, tourism and environmental amenity which forms part of the Rogerstown Natura 2000 international site.  As an island nation, there is an urgent need for a national coastal strategy, which is the norm across Europe, which sets out policies around coastal erosion, protection and the environment.

Paul canvassed and campaigned for the Social Democrats in the last general election in 2016.  As a progressive activist for many years, Paul believes that through collective action it is truly possible move towards a society and economy organised to the benefit of not just the few, but the many.

Back to all Posts