Sinn Féin’s Louis O’Hara has been elected in Galway East, fulfilling the promise he showed in the general election of four years ago.

In 2020, age 22 and still a student at University of Galway, Mr O’Hara was the surprise performer in the constituency, narrowly losing out on transfers having received the second-most first preference votes.

An Athenry native, his victory marks an important boost for Sinn Féin amid strong competition for seats three and four in Galway East. Mr O’Hara is the son of a solicitor and was elected to Galway County Council earlier this year.

Passionate about communities that are forgotten and left behind, he has previously described the prospect of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael getting back into government as “terrifying” for his generation. With a focus on housing and infrastructure, he hopes to put a stop to young people from being forced to leave the country.