INDEPENDENT TCD SEANAD CANDIDATE



MY PRIORITIES
Over the past five years, I have worked tirelessly to address critical issues impacting women's rights and child safeguarding. One issue that deeply concerns me is the ongoing failure of successive governments to provide adequate child protection and support services—failures I am committed to confronting head-on. My track record as an unpaid volunteer demonstrates my ability to drive real change outside the political arena. Imagine the impact I could have inside the chamber as your TCD Senator.
MY
STORY
From growing up on a farm in County Carlow to working on documentaries in Indonesia and navigating the world of journalism in London, my journey back to law has proven invaluable to my advocacy work. Coming home to Ireland and building a life in Dublin has been a journey of rediscovery—a chance to reconnect with my roots while forging a new path forward.
MY RECORD
Inspired by Countess Markiewicz, I founded The Countess to empower people across Ireland to navigate tough conversations about complex issues. Focused on protecting the rights of women, children, parents, and LGB individuals, our
work sheds light on
misguided legislation and advocates for fairness and clarity.


VOTING
CLOSES IN

TESTIMONIALS
WHY I'M SUPPORTING LAOISE
RONAN O'SULLIVAN

“I have known Laoise for many years
and have
found her to be a person of great integrity and substance."
Her political passion is unwavering and her commitment to women
and children’s rights in
particular is inspirational
and I have no hesitation in supporting her candidacy for the Seanad, where I am confident that she will
make a meaningful contribution to the Irish political landscape and will prove to be a powerful representative for all
Trinity alumni around the world.
RONAN O'SULLIVAN
LLB (Dub) 1994; BCL (Oxon) 1995,
Retired corporate lawyer
HELEN JOYCE

"Laoise is a remarkable person, combining persistence and determination with a creative and innovative approach to problem solving."
"Her organisation, The Countess, is a towering achievement: a genuinely grassroots organisation with a consistent voice and vision that owes everything to Laoise’s leadership. Her strong sense of justice drives her to step up when other people stay on the sidelines. She has an unusual ability to explain complex ideas clearly and compellingly, and to bring together people who disagree for difficult but essential conversations.
As a TCD alumna myself, I would be proud to have Laoise represent me in Seanad: she is ingenious, conscientious and very brave."
HELEN JOYCE
Author of 'TRANS'
Director of Advocacy, Sex Matters
DR. MADELEINE NÍ DHÁLAIGH

“The first conversation I had with Laoise was in early 2021. We discussed all manner of women’s rights both at home and internationally."
"We talked about reproductive rights, educational rights, sports rights, safe spaces and violence against women and children. Her passion for that whole range of issues was and remains compelling. But most of all I was struck by her compassion for women in our prison system. That cohort of women who are all too easily ignored. Her steadfast point of view is that these women are rarely afforded a voice in Irish society and that she is ready to effect change in this area, this is commendable. I wish Laoise all the best in her upcoming campaign and in her quest to protect the rights of women and girls in a modern Ireland."
DR. MADELEINE NÍ DHÁLAIGH
General Practitioner &
Advocate for Gender Equality
STELLA O'MALLEY

“I have always been struck by Laoise’s unwavering commitment to addressing the complex political, social, and clinical dimensions of the trans phenomenon.”
“She saw a gap where action was needed and didn’t wait for others to fill it—she built an organisation from scratch, demonstrating extraordinary tenacity and courage.
Her ability to navigate challenging conversations with intellectual honesty and clarity is unparalleled.
Laoise has shown time and again that she has the strength and resilience to tackle the most pressing issues of our time, and she would bring those qualities to her role in the Seanad."
STELLA O'MALLEY
Psychotherapist
Director / Founder of Genspect
BRENDAN SCANNELL

“I know Laoise over the past thirty years and her drive,
commitment and energy have signalled her out as a person of sincerity, real substance and vision."
"Laoise calls a spade a spade and does not shrink away from uncomfortable truths, particularly when it comes to the protection of the rights of women and children.
As a mother of three children, barrister and activist Laoise would bring rigour and freshness to the Seanad deliberations across a wide range of issues and would proudly uphold the historic contribution of Dublin University to the deliberations of the Oireachtas."
BRENDAN SCANNELL
Former Ambassador of Ireland
Dept. of Foreign Affairs & Trade

AS FEATURED IN






![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
YOUR VOICE
YOUR VOTE
MATTER
This is your last opportunity as TCD Alumni to elect Senators onto the TCD panel. Don't let it go by! Plus it's easier than you think. Whether you're a first-time voter or need a refresher, we've got you covered.
Click below to get all the information about what you need to do, and how to vote. Don't miss your chance to make a difference – learn more and have your say on Monday 30 December 2024.

VOTING OPENS
30 DEC
2024
