*Cllr Mike Hubbard (IND).
SITTING MAYOR of Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard (IND) is to enter the election race for the upcoming by-election in Galway West.
Catherine Connolly’s (IND) election as President of Ireland has left the vacancy for a TD in Galway West with the electorate of the constituency heading to the polls in May.
Eleven candidates are in the race so far, the latest of which is Cllr Cubbard whose entry to the field had been expected. He said his campaign will centre on a ‘Galway First’ message to reflect his belief that Galway needs a stronger voice in national decision‑making, one that can secure funding and support measures only where they deliver for the city and county.
A native of Westside with family links to the Claddagh, Moycullen and Carna, he has topped the poll in Galway City Central in three successive local elections since first being elected in 2014. He said the advantage of being an Independent TD would be his ability to “deal directly with Government on funding and projects” and to “back what is right for your area and push back on what is not. If the Government asks for my support, I will judge every decision on whether it is good for Galway. If it is, I will back it. If it is not, I will not support it,” he said.
If elected to Dáil Éireann, he said a key priority would be securing greater central government funding for local authorities. “The council’s ability to invest in roads, housing and public services depends heavily on Government funding. As a TD, I will use every bit of influence I have to maximise funding for Galway so we can expand social and affordable housing and deliver vital infrastructure, from our road network and community facilities to tourism projects and access to our offshore islands”.
Transport forms a central part of his platform. He said tackling congestion in Galway city would be “a top priority” and called for the long‑planned Ring Road to proceed without delay if planning permission is granted. “It should be fast‑tracked as critical infrastructure. It will not solve every problem, but it will make a real difference,” he said. He added that public transport upgrades, including BusConnects and increased rail capacity from Gort, Athenry and Oranmore, must happen in parallel.
On housing and rural infrastructure, Cubbard highlighted the impact of limited wastewater capacity. “Many towns and villages still cannot build or expand, which has knock‑on effects. Schools lose numbers, teachers are cut, post offices and Garda stations close and sports clubs are forced to merge or disappear,” he said. He said access to services in rural areas remains a major concern, “people face long waits for GP appointments, limited home care supports and a shortage of childcare places”.
He also highlighted pressure at University Hospital Galway and uncertainty around the promised elective hospital. “People in Galway are tired of long waits, overcrowded wards and the fear they will need private insurance just to be seen on time. My priority is to deliver the elective hospital as promised, expand capacity in UHG and strengthen primary care in places like Galway City West, Oranmore and Spiddal, so people can access treatment without delays”.
On immigration, Cubbard said, “Delays in the asylum system are creating real pressure on housing and services. We need a faster, fairer process that treats people with dignity but also ensures that refused applications do not result in indefinite stays”.
On farming, he said excessive red tape and regulatory uncertainty were “holding families back” and that clearer supports were needed for young people entering agriculture. Cubbard said he wants to ensure young people have a stronger voice in local and national decisions. Describing himself as centre‑left, he said, “I believe in fair public services and strong support for families and communities. Anyone who knows my work will tell you I will work with anyone if it means delivering results.”
Cllr Cubbard previously served as mayor in 2019 and 2020, and became the first Independent councillor in the 128‑year history of Galway City Council to hold the office three times when he returned to the role in June 2025.
Already declared candidates include, Canadian native Sheila Garrity (IND), a lecturer in early childhood education, who was campaign manager for Connolly’s presidential campaign, Cllr Helen Ogbu (LAB) who became the first person of colour to serve on Galway County Council following her 2024 election, software engineer and former councillor, Niall Murphy (GP), Noel Thomas (II) who left in Fianna Fáil in 2024 following disciplinary action over his comments on plans to house asylum seekers in Rosscahill, Cllr Thomas Welby (IND) a councillor since in 2004 who resigned from the Progressive Democrats in 2008, law graduate Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich (SD), primary school teacher Orla Nugent (Aontú) arist and designer Denman Rooke (PBP), Senator Seán Kyne a former Junior Minister (FG) and trade union official Mark Lohan (SF).
Fianna Fáil will hold their selection convention this Sunday with Cllr Alan Cheevers (FF) in City East, Cllr Cillian Keane (FF) in Oranmore and Cllr Máirtín Lee (FF) in Conamara all nominated.
RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and TG4′s Nuacht will be unable to host a live debate in the constituency despite it having the largest Gaeltacht in Ireland as only three of the candidates nominated to date are sufficiently fluent to take part.
