Meath Women’s Caucus chairperson, Cllr. Maria Murphy, Vice Chairperson, Cllr. Aisling Dempsey, Secretary, Cllr. Sarah Reilly, PRO, Cllr. Yemi Adenuga with caucus members Cllr. Gillian Toole, Cllr. Deirdre Geraghty Smith, Cllr. Emer Tóibín, Cllr. Elaine McGinty, Cllr. Sharon Tolan and Cllr. Amanda Smith pictured in 2022.

Council co-options reduce numbers in Women’s Caucus

Ann Casey

Published: Fri 18 Apr 2025, 4:02 PM

Meath Women's Caucus has seen a reduction in its numbers from 15 to 13 as not all the female councillors elected to the Oireachtais were replaced by women.

At last week's meeting of Meath County Council, Cllr Maria Murphy gave a report on the activities of the Caucus and said they would be meeting with Meath Women’s Refuge later this month.

At the annual meeting officers elected for the coming year were chairperson; Maria Murphy. vice-chairperson; Helen Meyer, secretary; Sarah O’Reilly and PRO; Yemi Adenuga.

A breakfast round table event was held in November in Bellinter House, where the election campaigns of seven of the caucus members were discussed.

“Cllr Aisling Dempsey and Cllr Gillian Toole were elected to Dail Eireann and we wish them well. Cllr. Linda Nelson Murray was subsequently elected to Seanad Eireann.

“Cllr Carol Lennon proposed a motion on the Carers Allowance which had been discussed at the AGM. The motion was adopted.”

“For International Women’s Day, the council planned a video to celebrate our female leaders both on council and across the council management and workforce.

“Members of the caucus were also invited to attend the Navan Rotary Ladies Lunch in Tankardstown House.”

Cllr Murphy told the meeting that “the mission of the Meath Women’s Caucus is to bring together women and gender minority councillors from all parties and none. Under Membership it notes ‘ The caucus is open to non-binary councillors who are comfortable in a space that centres the experiences of women,” she said.