History has been made in Galway's local elections as Labour's Helen Ogbu took a seat on the City Council.
Ms Ogbu is the first black woman ever elected there.
Labour's European election candidate Aodhán Ó Ríordáin congratulated Ms Ogbu on X, writing: 'From asylum seeker to Labour councillor!'
From asylum seeker to @labour councillor! https://t.co/bpbtftldpj
— Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (@AodhanORiordain) June 9, 2024
Ms Ogbu studied in Nigeria and has a Master’s Degree in History and Diplomacy.
She is a community activist and mentor, as well as an advocate for immigrants.
Ms Ogbu was also involved with the Galway Refugee Support Group as a committee member and later became chair of the organisation.
She has one daughter and has been foster carer "to over 30 children" since 2008.
As counting continues, Labour has around 5.5% of the vote nationally.
