Independent candidate Tom Clonan has won the Seanad byelection for the University of Dublin constituency.
Clonan, a former Army officer, is a security analyst and a strong defender of Irish neutrality who served in the Defence Forces and as a peacekeeper in Lebanon. He became a whistleblower regarding incidents of rape and sexual assault in the Defence Forces interviewing female members of the Army Forces regarding harassment and sexual assault.
He has become best known in recent times as a disability campaigner, arguing that the sector needs to campaign for a “radical, rights based approach to disability”.
His son Eoghan has a rare neuromuscular condition called Pelizaeus Merzbacher Disease, and worked as his father’s Campaign Manager during the Seanad race.
WARNING – *Viewer Discretion Advised -Very Cute Scenes of 🦮 Escaping Campaign Video (Eoghan, my Campaign Manager says ‘Never Work with Kids or Animals’ 😂) Just a few days left -I’m asking all #TCDSeanad Graduates to Please Vote Tom CLONAN No1 -100% Independent Non Party Senator pic.twitter.com/oskYafjQ2B
— Dr Tom Clonan (@TomClonan) March 26, 2022
Clonan’s victory was widely welcomed by disability campaigners.
A good day for people with disabilities and their families! Congratulations @TomClonan 💪💪 https://t.co/I8Ebrtp7A3
— susan dennehy (@susdennehy) March 31, 2022
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