Cllr Gerry Ashe
Gerry Ashe grew up in Dublin first living in Ballyfermot before her parents got a transfer to Donnybrook. She spent much time in her Grandmothers home in Stella Gardens where her mother Nora grew up. She attended national school in Donnybrook and then completed her Leaving Certificate in St Mary's Haddington Road.
Deciding to spread her wings she then moved to Sweden where she worked for several years - including a particularly memorable time working in a village specially created for people with disabilities during which she developed a strong commitment to the concept of rights for all.
On returning to Ireland she worked for 18 years with adults with multiple disabilities for St. Michael's House while at the same time, with her husband of over thirty years Brendan, raising a family of four girls. Over the intervening years Gerry, now a grandmother herself, recognized that it is primarily through political action that real change can be affected. She joined the Labour Party in 1990 and since then has been active at local branch and constituency levels. She is currently entering her fourth term as Chairperson of the Dublin South East Constituency Council of the Labour Party. She also represents Dublin South East on the policy making National Central Council of the Labour Party and from which she serves on the key Policy Committee.
Upon his appointment as Minister for Finance, Ruairi Quinn TD, recognizing her particular abilities at working with people and problem solving invited her to join his staff in his Ministerial Office and Constituency Office. During this time Gerry represented Labour in Ringsend and Aungier Street Advice Clinics and through these and her other work developed an insight to the area second to none. Gerry continued to work with Ruairi Quinn throughout his terms as Minister and Party Leader up to the recently.
In March 2011 Gerry was the overwhelming winner at a Selection Convention to replace Kevin Humphreys following his election to the Dail.
Gerry is on the Board of Sandymount and Ringsend Community Services - publishers of News 4 - and of the Citizens Information Service and is a volunteer with Citizens Information Centre also. She has a particular interest in Addiction and Psychiatric Services, Homelessness and Disability. On the City Council she has been appointed to serve on the Finance Committee and as a representative on the Dublin Docklands Development Council.
