LIMERICK councillor Elisa O’Donovan has returned to the Social Democrats fold this week after leaving the party in June last year.
Social Democrats co-leaders Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall welcomed the decision of the City West representative to re-join the party.
On leaving the party in 2020, Cllr O’Donovan took the view that she would better serve her constituents as an Independent.
This week, she expressed her delight to be “coming home” to the Social Democrats, having been elected as a party candidate back in 2019.
“Last year, which was a year of huge tumult after Covid came to our shores, I felt it would be best to move away from party politics. Having worked hard as an Independent councillor since then, I now want to continue my work for the people of Limerick as a member of the most progressive and inclusive party in the country,” Cllr O’Donovan said.
“The issues that the Social Democrats are working hard to address – in housing, the health service, childcare and the cost-of-living crisis – are also the issues that matter most to the people of Limerick. Working from within the party can, I feel, help me strongly advocate for real change.
“The Social Democrats have a bright future in Limerick. I am excited to be part of that and to help the party grow,” she added.
Party co-leader, Catherine Murphy, welcomed Elisa’s decision and belief that she can do her best work from within the Social Democrats.
“Elisa is a very hard-working and conscientious councillor whose first priority has always been representing the people of Limerick to the best of her ability,” she said.
Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall also welcomed O’Donovan’s return.
“This is further evidence that the party in Limerick, and elsewhere, is continuing to grow.
Local government plays a hugely important role, in shaping and developing the areas we all live in, and it is essential to have councillors who have the right values, policies and principles in place. We are thrilled to welcome a very diligent councillor like Elisa, focused on the issues that matter to people, back into the fold.”
