Party activist joins Byrne on Fianna Fail ticket
A Fianna Fail activist based in Ratoath, Deirdre Geraghty-Smith, has joined Thomas Byrne on the Meath East ticket for the next general election.
The Dunboyne native, who was recently named an area representative for the party in the Ratoath Municipal District, ran unsuccessfully for the party in the last county council elections. She studied business and economics at Trinity College, Dublin and holds a masters in political and public communication from DCU. She currently works as a communications manager and previously worked for Fianna Fáil party leader, Micheál Martin. Fianna Fail press office in Leinster House announced her addition to the ticket this evening.
Education and the Irish language, the provision of healthcare and mental healthcare and addressing the challenges facing commuters on public transport are amongst her main priorities. Deirdre was also very active, both locally and nationally during the referendum on repealing the eighth amendment.
Ms Geraghty-Smith said: “I am honoured that the party has placed its faith in me by adding me to Meath-East ticket for the next general election. I look forward to working with Thomas Byrne and returning a second seat in the constituency. Fianna Fáil has a track record of delivery in Meath and I firmly believe we will be better off as a county and as a country with Fianna Fáil in Government. I am determined to play my part in helping to make that happen.
“We have had seven years of a Fine Gael Government who have failed to deliver on key issues. From living in the area and my community involvement, I am acutely aware of the challenges facing the people in Meath East. The affordability of housing, the inadequate commuter network and the insufficient provision of health and mental health care are just some of the issues which I will work tirelessly on. I will be asking the people of Meath-East to put their faith in me and I will represent them to the best of my ability”, concluded Ms Geraghty-Smith, who is married to former Skryne footballer, Gordon Geraghty, from Tara.