Sinn Féin Senator Nicole Ryan speaks about the Pregnancy Loss (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025, which she proposed, last July. Photograph: Sam Boal/Collins Photos
“I get abuse all the time,” says Charles Ward. “I was a doorman for 17 years. Words do nothing to me.” A first-time TD for Donegal, he brushes off concerns around trolling on social media.
“I’m a big boy and I understand people’s frustrations. I understand there’s some people out there who have a chip on their shoulder with certain things. So be it.”
The Arranmore island native is a bricklayer by profession who also worked as a carer. He references an early lesson that stuck with him: “When you have absolutely no experience you need experience to back you.” With that in mind, assistants to former Donegal TD Thomas Pringle now work for him.
He was mentored by President Catherine Connolly and was one of her first backers when she launched her Áras election campaign.
He brought her to his house, one of the homes most affected by defective concrete. The 100% Redress TD has spoken more than 80 times about the long-running issue affecting 25,000 homes in Donegal and an estimated 100,000 nationally.
The difference between his early Dáil speeches and now is “night and day”, he says, adding: “The confidence grows. You become aware of who you are, what you’re fighting for.”
He praises Tánaiste Simon Harris as “a really go
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