Fine Gael candidate for the Dublin Central by-election Ray McAdam has said Dublin city is a “safe city”, and that he believes it has become safer over the past 15 years of Fine Gael in government.
Speaking to Gript last night following his uncontested selection at a party convention in the Ashling Hotel in Dublin, McAdam pointed to what he described as “huge levels of investment” in housing, policing, and infrastructure, while also suggesting that voters dissatisfied with mainstream parties would support him.
McAdam outlined a range of developments across the constituency, including youth programmes and healthcare facilities, as part of his argument that progress had been made over the past decade and a half.
“Over the last 15 years of Fine Gael in government, we have seen huge levels of investment in housing, in terms of Garda numbers,” he said.
“We’ve seen it in terms of infrastructure. You go down into the north inner city and you see the City Connects programme. The programme that supports 1600 young kids and in the last 12 months we now see an extra 1,000 second-level kids being supported as well.”
He also referenced healthcare developments in the area.
“We’ve seen the new rollout of primary care centres in Cabra, Summerhill, and in Grangegorman, you’re seeing the Summerhill family practice, you’re seeing 1,200 additional patients,” he said.
“So there’s been a huge level of work done in Dublin Central over the last 15 years and I bring, as I said, my 17 years experience on Dublin City Council working with colleagues, working with Paschal, Neale and Regina and others to deliver for our constituents.”
Pressed specifically on whether Dublin had become more or less safe over that period, McAdam described the capital as secure in relative terms.
“Dublin is a safe city comparatively of other cities of similar scale and status,” he said.
Asked to directly address if the city was safer now than it was when Fine Gael entered Government 15 years ago, McAdam replied: “I believe it is.”
“And I want to see the high visibility Garda patrols we see across the city centre expanded out into the residential communities across Stoneybatter, Drumcondra, Glasnevin.”
He added that the issue of Garda visibility had been raised with law enforcement in recent years, including during his time as Lord Mayor.
McAdam was also asked about voters in Dublin Central who have expressed dissatisfaction with existing political parties, including those who spoiled their ballots in last year’s presidential election amid concerns about migration. He said that he believed they would vote for him.
He said he was aware of frustrations among voters and suggested that his local presence would resonate with them.
“I understand that people are frustrated, because I’m on the ground all of the time,” he said.
“You don’t survive in politics in Dublin Central if you’re not out on the doors, knocking on doors, talking to people, understanding their frustrations.”
He added: “They know me, they know my track record, they’ll come out and vote for me.”
Last night, McAdam was selected by party delegates to contest the upcoming by-election, which was triggered by the resignation of former Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, who has taken up a role at the World Bank.
McAdam was first elected to Dublin City Council in 2009 and topped the poll in his local electoral area in 2024. He currently serves as Lord Mayor of Dublin.
Other declared candidates in the contest include Green Party Councillor Janet Horner, Social Democrats Councillor Daniel Ennis, and Sinn Féin Councillor Janice Boylan. People Before Profit-Solidarity is running Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, while Aontú has selected Ian Noel Smyth.
Gerry ‘the Monk’ Hutch and Independent Councillor Malachy Steenson have also indicated they intend to run in the by-election, which is expected to take place in May.