Sinn Féin’s Darren O’Rourke has been re-elected in Meath East. He was first elected to the Dáil in the 2020 election when he topped the polls in the constituency, after which he was appointed as the party’s spokesman on climate action and the environment

The 44-year-old ran in the 2016 election and was just behind Regina Doherty, who claimed the third and final seat that year.

A former member of the Oireachtas committees on climate, environment, transport and communications, he has been vocal on energy prices, the equity of the carbon tax system and the Government’s retrofitting scheme.

A native of Kells, O’Rourke now lives in Ashbourne and was successful in securing a seat in that electoral area in the 2014 local elections. He served as a councillor for six years, up until his election to the Dáil.

The father of three has a background in medical science, having trained in DIT, before completing several master degrees in Trinity College and the Royal College of Surgeons.