Nicole Ryan (born 1993/1994) is an Irish Sinn Féin politician who has been a senator for the Administrative Panel since January 2025.[2]

Personal life

Ryan was born in Kyiv, Ukraine to a Portuguese father and a Ukrainian mother[3] and grew up in Millstreet, County Cork.[4] Her grandfather, Viktor Kalinichko, was a lieutenant-colonel in the KGB.[5] Ryan lost her brother Alex Ryan to a party drug in 2016. She subsequently returned to education at University College Cork to study addiction.[6] Ryan lives in the Gaeltacht village of Ballyvourney in County Cork.

Anti-drug activism

Ryan has spent many years as an anti-drug campaigner, visiting schools all over Ireland and speaking to over 13,000 post-primary students about the dangers of drugs.[7] She received a "Pride of Cork" award for her efforts in 2021.[8]

Political career

Ryan was elected to Seanad Éireann at the 2025 Seanad election for the Administrative Panel. She was an unsuccessful candidate at the 2024 general election for the Cork North-West constituency.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b "Sinn Féin's Nicole Ryan 'really delighted' and 'very excited' to enter race for Seanad seat". Irish Independent. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  2. ^ Lynch, Joe (3 February 2025). "Senator Nicole Ryan vows to be a strong voice in the Oireachtas for young people, women, and people suffering from addiction". Sinn Féin. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
  3. ^ Joy, Jack (24 November 2024). "Sinn Féin candidate speaks of the deep pain of her miscarriage". The Corkman. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  4. ^ Horgan, Sarah. "'If you don't hear from them, you fear the worst': Cork activist describes family's fears for loved ones in Kyiv". Echo Live. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  5. ^ "'As long as Ukrainian people are still breathing, they will continue to fight' – Nicole's sadness at situation in her homeland". Irish Independent. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  6. ^ Riegel, Ralph (29 August 2024). "Campaigner whose brother died after taking synthetic party drug set to run for Sinn Féin in election". Irish Independent. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  7. ^ Bohane, John (4 February 2025). "Sinn Féin candidate Nicole Ryan elected to Seanad Éireann". Irish Independent. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
  8. ^ Ó Liatháin, Concubhar (18 September 2021). "Pride of Cork award for addiction counsellor Nicole". Irish Independent. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicole_Ryan
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