Election 2020: Noel Grealish (Independent)

Noel Grealish (54) is one of the survivors of Irish politics. The former Progressive Democrats TD inherited the seat vacated by Bobby Molloy in 2002 and has held it ever since. He was one of only two PDs elected in 2007, taking the decision to disband the party as leader in 2009 to continue as an Independent.

He came to national prominence in September last year when he spoke at a public meeting on a proposed direct provision centre for Oughterard. His comment that some African asylum seekers were “spongers” was widely condemned nationally and he doubled down his with suggestions in the Dáil that Nigerian migrants were sending back €3.5 billion in remittances from Ireland to the country – figures that were widely disputed. His views, though, appear to have support in Oughterard, where more than 40 per cent voted for him in the general election, though it is not his natural bailiwick.

Grealish attributes his continuing electoral success to his constituency work rather than any comments he has made about immigrants.