Sinn Féin's Imelda Munster will not run in next general election
Imelda Munster was first elected to the Dáil in 2016 and topped the poll in the constituency in 2020. Prior to that, she had spent 12 years on Louth County Council. File picture: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie
Sinn Féin TD Imelda Munster has announced she will not run in the next general election.
Ms Munster, a TD for Louth, was seen as a certainty to retain her seat next time out, but has said she will step away from politics after 20 years of public representation.
Ms Munster, 55, was first elected to the Dáil in 2016 and topped the poll in the constituency in 2020. Prior to that, she had spent 12 years on Louth County Council.
She is currently the party's spokesperson for media, tourism and sport and has previously held the transport and business briefs on behalf of Sinn Féin. She is also a member of the Public Accounts Committee and the Joint Committee on Media, Sport, Tourism, the Arts and Culture.
In a statement, she said: “It has been my honour and privilege to represent the people of my hometown Drogheda and Co Louth in the Dáil since 2016, and I look forward to continuing to do so for the remainder of this Dáil term.
“I entered politics because I love Drogheda and I wanted to work for my community. I have always done my best to be a strong Republican voice on behalf of the people of Drogheda. I am proud to have been able to represent the town and the wider constituency for the past twenty years.
She added: “It may sound like a political cliché, but I truly and genuinely mean it when I say that the proudest day of my life was the day I was chosen by the people of this constituency to be their representative and to work on their behalf.
“From the very first day I was elected I’ve had the people of Drogheda to the fore of my mind, whether it was on Louth County Council or in Dáil Éireann.
“I’ve spent my time as a representative raising issues for our town and county, and fighting the corner of those I’ve been so proud to represent."
She thanked the local Sinn Féin organisation "for their hard work and unwavering support over the years".
“It’s been my honour and privilege to work on behalf of the people of Louth and East Meath and I will continue to work hard on their behalf until this Dáil term comes to a close.
“I’m confident my replacement, whoever they may be, will have the same commitment to hard work and will continue to be a strong voice for the people of this constituency.”
Party leader Mary Lou McDonald praised her colleague and friend, saying she would be missed in the next Dáil.
"Someone of her incredible talent and calibre will be sorely missed from our team in Leinster House, but I know that Imelda will remain a proud and committed member of Sinn Féin as we continue on our journey to a United Ireland. Her commitment to Drogheda and to Co Louth will never, ever wane.
“Imelda’s family are the most important people in her life. I wish Imelda, Niall and all the family the very best of luck for the future. Ádh mór Imelda."
