Leah Keogh has been elected the next President of Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) with 57.8% of the vote, securing a rare second term as a sabbatical officer.
Keogh received 2,313 first preferences, securing her a victory over fellow candidates Ben Cummins and Luke MacQuillan.
Cummins received the second highest number of votes with 1,382, or 34.6%, while MacQuillan received 272 votes,or 6.8%. The option to re-open nominations was given 33 first preferences, or 0.8%
Keogh is the union’s current Welfare and Equality Officer. During her campaign, she has regularly returned to the idea that the “each year, the union falls short of its plans because of the revolving door of sabbats” and that she is “ready to break that cycle”.
A recent social work graduate, Keogh made a number of promises in her campaign, such as securing a sponsor for the Student Centre, reforms in Academic Registry, making House 6 accessible and working to secure subsidised accommodation for students with disabilities.
Keogh also has plans for a “Covid Catch-Up” for students, stating in her manifesto that she is “bring back pints at the Pav, Freshers and Trinity Ball to make up for lost nights out”.
In her manifesto, Keogh also put focus on her sustainability plans including plans for a “plastic-free Trinity Ball” and to lobby to “reduce and ultimately abolish public transport costs” for students.
In an interview with Trinity News, Keogh said that the three biggest challenges facing College over the next year are recovering from the pandemic, the potential restructuring of College Board and student representation, and the transition of power with the upcoming election of a new provost.
A poll conducted by Trinity News of 1,005 students last week indicated that 69.6% of decided voters planned to give their first preference to Keogh, with Cummins polling at 24.6% and MacQuillan at 4.4%.
Earlier this evening, Greg Arrowsmith was elected as the union’s next Ents Officer, Aoife Cronin as Communications and Marketing Officer, and Emer Moreau as the next editor of the University Times.
Bev Genockey is taking on the role of Education Officer, with Sierra Mueller-Owens taking over for Keogh as Welfare and Equality Officer.
Keogh, along with all other elected sabbatical officers, are set to take office in the summer.
