Student Union President Lynn to run for Seanad
By Mary Dennehy
THE opportunities that life-long learning has opened up for Tallaght resident, and Trinity College Student Union President, Lynn Ruane have proven endless, as the single mother and early school leaver this week announces her candidacy for next year’s Seanad elections.
Lynn hit national headlines last year when she was elected President of Trinity College’s Student Union, the first woman president since 2003.
Living in Killinarden, Lynn, who has two daughters, left secondary school after her Junior Certificate, when she became pregnant with her first daughter.
At the age of 17, she returned to education and participated in an addiction studies course in IT Tallaght – using what she learned to help set up a support programme for teenage heroin users in Killinarden under the Community Addiction Response Programme [CARP].
Civic-minded and passionate about tackling inequality, Lynn also studied at An Cosán community education centre in Jobstown – before getting into TCD through the Trinity Access Programme, where she studied a four-year philosophy, political, science, economic and sociology degree.
Now Lynn, who is a campaigner and a voice for change when it comes to education and social equality has her eyes fixed on the Seanad.
She told The Echo: “After spending the last year in-and-out of politics both in college and Leinster House, I’ve realised that there are some issues that I am really passionate about and I would like more that the Student Presidency of 12 months to try and work on these issues and maybe get them over the line.
“I would like to continue in the Seanad to be a voice for students and also education and education equality.
“My background is in addiction studies and I think education plays a vital role in this, and I would like to marry these issues together.
“I’d also like to be a voice for the working class.”
Lynn considered running for the General Election in the Dublin South Central ward however, she wanted to finish out her year as President.
“I wasn’t willing to leave the presidency in February”, she said.
“I think it is important for me to continue in this role especially for the people who invested their time and vote in me…with the Seanad elections more than likely happening nearer the end of my term on the student union.”
She added: “I’ve always been on the periphery of politics, and have been an aggravator for change and social justice.
“However, going into politics? This was definitely never a plan however, opportunities keep arising and I’m going to keep taking them.”
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