Aubrey McCarthy

Senator
Aubrey McCarthy
McCarthy in 2025
Senator
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 2025
ConstituencyDublin University
Personal details
PartyIndependent
Education
Websiteaubreymccarthy.com

Aubrey McCarthy is an independent member of Seanad Éireann who has represented Dublin University since 2025.[1]

McCarthy is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin with a Bachelor of Science degree and a master's degree.[2] He was also educated at Dublin City University and the University of Wales. In 2008 he founded Tiglin, a charity that provides housing, rehabilitation and education and employment access for homeless people and those affected by addiction. He is also chair of the Bluebell Community Council, Tivoli Training Centre and the Dublin Christian Mission Outreach.[3] In 2026 it was reported that he was "probably" the wealthiest member of Seanad Éireann.[4]

He was awarded the Irish Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2024[5] and the Trinity Alumni Award in 2023.[6] He has spoken at many public forums including the Fianna Fail Ardfheis,[7] Aontú Ardfheis,[8] as well as the Citizens Assembly,[9] about his work on homelessness and the services offered by Tiglin. In 2024 he received personal threats over the work his charity was doing to help asylum seekers without accommodation.[10]

He contested the 2022 Seanad by-election caused by the election of Labour's Ivana Bacik to Dáil Éireann, finishing in sixth place overall.[11] At the 2025 Seanad election, he was elected for Dublin University, narrowly beating Green Party candidate Hazel Chu for the final seat after a recount.[12][3] His election was welcomed by the Iona Institute, a right-wing, socially conservative Catholic lobby group, who described him as a "strong pro-life voice" who had opposed the repeal of the 8th Amendment.[13] It was later reported that McCarthy had called on the assistance of the Pro Life Campaign during the election and that campaign manager, Eilis Mulroy had organised lists of pro-life voters on the Seanad electoral roll and actively sought votes on his behalf.[14]

During the 2025 presidential election campaign, McCarthy was one of 18 Oireachtas members who had agreed to nominate Iona Institute member and conservative campaigner, Maria Steen as a candidate; however she did not make the ballot as she required 20 nominations.[15]

References

  1. ↑ "Aubrey McCarthy". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
  2. ↑ "Aubrey McCarthy Bio - Seanad Electoral Register". Trinity College Dublin.
  3. 1 2 "McCarthy secures final seat in DU/TC Seanad constituency". RTÉ News. 31 January 2025. Archived from the original on 31 January 2025. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  4. ↑ "Who is the richest person in the Seanad? The smart money is on Aubrey McCarthy". The Irish Times. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
  5. ↑ Parle, Andrew. "Irish Red Cross Humanitarian Awards 2022". Irish Red Cross Humanitarian Awards. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  6. ↑ "Founder of Wicklow charity Tiglin honoured at TCD Alumni Awards". Irish Independent. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  7. ↑ @fiannafailparty (23 February 2019). "Chair of @TiglinAddiction Aubrey McCarthy speaking about the twin challenges of homelessness and drug addiction". Archived from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  8. ↑ Hurley, Sandra (7 October 2023). "Tóibín: Govt too reliant on foreign direct investment". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 21 February 2025. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  9. ↑ O'Meara, Paul (17 October 2023). "Kildare man addresses Citizens' Assembly". Kildare Now. Archived from the original on 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  10. ↑ Burnhill, Eleanor (11 May 2024). "Charity founder 'threatened' over asylum seeker help". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 4 March 2025. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  11. ↑ "Seanad byelection: Hugo MacNeill tops poll in first count". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  12. ↑ "Aubrey McCarthy". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 29 March 2025.
  13. ↑ "Strong pro-life showing in Seanad election". The Iona Institute. 4 February 2025. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
  14. ↑ McGuirk, John (24 September 2025). "Why did Michael McDowell block Maria Steen?". Gript. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
  15. ↑ Ryan, Órla. "Maria Steen criticises 'oppressive' political consensus after failing to secure nomination". The Irish Times. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
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