He was first elected to the Council in 2024 to the Social Democrats, before he became an Independent in February of this year
Councillor for the Kildare-Newbridge MD, Pat Balfe, has joined the Labour Party.
He was first elected to the Council in 2024 to the Social Democrats, before announcing in February 2026 that he was leaving the party to run as an Independent representative.
He joins the party having "developed a strong working relationship" with Labour Kildare South TD Mark Wall on issues impacting the Monasterevin and Kildare area.
In an exclusive to Kfm News, Cllr Balfe said he was "delighted" to confirm the news.
"Since my election to the council representing Monasterevin, Kildare, Rathangan the Curragh, Suncroft and Ballysax in 2024, I have remained utterly focused in addressing the concerns people raise with me every day," he said.
He added that he would continue to work on issues such as improving access to public transport and active travel, while also "helping those on the hard edge of the housing crisis" and "fighting for dedicated youth spaces so that our young people can be proud to grow up in Kildare".
“As a retired member of our Defence Forces, I also want to continue providing effective representation and support for serving and retired members of our Forces locally, to ensure our Defence Forces get the investment that is so urgently needed. There are deep rooted challenges within the Defence Forces that Government must tackle head on.
“There are significant challenges facing our community right now, from housing to the cost of commuting to the provision of local services," he concluded.
Welcoming Cllr Balfe, Deputy Wall said that Pat "has a strong record of representing people at the council level":
"Together, we’ve worked on many projects locally, and I have been so impressed by his commitment to delivering practical improvements that make everyday life safer, fairer and better."
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