Kildare South T.D.Cathal Berry Tops List Of Dáil Candidates Using Crowdfunding To Pay For Election Campaign

Sunday, 10 November 2024 10:19

By Emma O'Connor

At least 60 Dáil candidates had crowdfunded more than €150,000 by the time the starter’s gun was fired on the general election race last Friday.

The candidates who took to the GoFundMe website to help pay for their campaigns included sitting and aspiring politicians of all hues, bar Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

The politicians using the tech included three outgoing Green Party government ministers — Roderic O’Gorman, Malcolm Noonan and Joe O’Brien.

According to today's Sunday Independent, the top beneficiary was the independent candidate and outgoing TD Cathal Berry — who by Friday afternoon had raised €24,225 of a €30,000 target. More than 196 donors contributed to his campaign for re-election in the Kildare South constituency.

The next most successful applicant was Kate O’Connell, the former Fine Gael TD who is running as independent candidate in Dublin Bay South.

Her donations included one for €2,400 and another for €1,200 — both listed as “anonymous”.

Online donations are often posted as “anonymous” for public view, but donors must make their identities known to candidates.

Candidates are allowed to accept no more than €100 anonymously and sums that exceed the limit must be remitted to the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) within two weeks.

Donations of more than €600 must be declared, and cannot exceed €1,000.

More from Local News

Kildare Council Says "Not A Single Complaint" Lodged About Abbey Street Closure In Naas

Cllr Moore claimed that the Abbey Street closure has effectively turned parts of Naas - including Harbour View and Basin Street - into a 300-metre cul-de-sac, adding that if the single vehicle entrance from Main Street were ever blocked, residents, businesses, and emergency services could be cut off.
Katriona O’Sullivan To Lead Ireland’s First National Centre For Inclusive Higher Education At Maynooth

It will focus on helping people from all backgrounds access and succeed in college.
Inside A Kildare Turkey Farm: How Bird Flu Is Testing Farmers’ Nerves Before Christmas

Feighcullen farmer Billy Gray joined Hannah Kelly on this morning’s Kildare Today to discuss the impact the bird flu outbreak has had on his flock.
Two Kildare Groups Share €19,000 For Migrant Integration Projects

Under the scheme, grants of up to €100,000 will be allocated to successful organisations to assist in the integration of migrants
Frightening 2am Bedroom Intrusion In Naas Ends With Crash And Arrests

The culprits were arrested after they were involved in a collision.
Unlike Dublin, Kildare Council Not Planning Any Changes To How Social Housing Rents Are Calculated

The local authority says the system is currently structured around a proportion of the principal earner’s income, with additional contributions from any secondary earners in the household.
Emergency Services At Scene Of Road Traffic Incident In Carbury

Traffic is moving extremely slowly in the area and motorists are being advised to seek alternative routes.
Almost All Kildare Crèches Privately Run As Community Provision Remains Minimal

Community childcare is non-profit, locally run, and usually more affordable and inclusive than private crèches.