Shane O'Callaghan has been a Cork City Councillor since 2019. He served as Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork between 2020-2021. He works as a barrister.

I have always been heavily involved in my community. As a husband and father of young children, I see the challenges faced by young families like ours and I want to get involved in something that may make peoples lives better.

I think the most important thing is that we have a sustainable economy into the future that is protected. Without this, there is no funding for all the services that are needed like childcare, housing and services for children with additional needs for example. A sustainable functioning economy is vital.

My background as a criminal prosecutor influences my focus on law enforcement solutions, and I would call for increased Garda resources, enhanced penalties for public order offences, and the introduction of mandatory minimum sentences for repeat offenders. I firmly believe that these measures would reverse the decline of city centres in urban areas, making them places where people can feel safe to visit.