About Mary
Mary grew-up in an economically depressed and socially repressed Ireland.
Mary is proud of how much Ireland has evolved and changed in her lifetime.
Mary is involved in politics to ensure an economcially sustainble and socially inclusive future for all.
The beginning
Mary, her brother Aindriu, sisters Sinéad and Niamh are first-generation Dubs. Her mother Mary from Cork was a nurse. Her dad Dermot born in Dublin was the first of his family to go to university. Dermot was a much loved and respected family doctor, dentist, and public representative.
Growing up Mary witnessed first hand the power of dedicated public service to strengthen and empower individuals, community and country.
The 1921 murder of Mary’s grand-uncles by the black and tans at Clonmult informed her families republican values of equality, liberty and fraternity.
Education & Early Career
Mary attended Our Lady Help of Christians, St Dominic’s College, Cabra and graduated from UCD with a BA in German and Italian.
Like many others in the late ’80s Mary emigrated to escape a socially repressed and economically depressed Ireland.
In New York City, as an International Sales and Marketing Director, Mary successfully drove broadband international data services and commercialisation of the Internet.
In 1998, in advance to European deregulation of telecoms, Mary returned to Europe to lead the sales of innovative and revolutionising broadband data services across Europe.
Public Representation
After becoming a mother, wanting to contribute to her own community, and keen for Ireland to evolve politically and socially Mary was first elected in 2004 to Dublin City Council.
Mary has an exceptional track record as a strong and effective public representative.
Mary is competent, compassionate, and uncompromising in her energy and determination to champion her community and country at every opportunity.
Senator & Housing Spokesperson
Taoiseach Micheál Martin appointed Mary to Seanad Eireann and Fianna Fáil Housing, Local Government and Heritage Spokesperson in June 2020.
In the senate Mary has successfully driven unprecedented change and increase in the supply of housing from a legislative, policy and budgetary perspective.
Mary is determined to eliminate homelessness by increasing housing supply and affordability.
Since 2020 more than 100,000 homes have been built, every week 1,000 new homes commence construction, and 500 first time buyers are buying their new home.
For the first time in a generation home ownership is again a real possibility for people who work hard and want to own their own home.