Long before entering politics Liona was deeply involved in community life leading local campaigns, supporting residents’ groups and working to improve local facilities and services. Professionally, she worked in senior finance roles using her experience to support businesses, community organisations and start-up enterprises.

One of Liona’s earliest and most significant contributions was as co-founder of the Finnstown Input Group in 2001, which campaigned for better planning of Adamstown and helped shape Ireland’s first Strategic Development Zone. Since then, planning has remained a major focus of her work, particularly ensuring that transport, schools, healthcare, sports amenities, parks and community services are delivered alongside new housing. More recently, she represented residents throughout the public consultation and Special Council Meetings on Variation No. 2 to the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022–2028 and helped secure stronger infrastructure commitments for the proposed Adamstown South and West (Outer) Strategic Development Area.

One of Liona’s major campaigns was the delivery of a public swimming pool and leisure centre for Lucan. Following her election in 2014, she successfully secured a policy in the County Development Plan supporting its delivery and continued to advocate for the project until it opened in 2026. Building on this work, she also secured wording in the current Development Plan variation supporting the future delivery of a public swimming pool for Adamstown.

Supporting education has always been central to Liona’s work. She is Chairperson of Griffeen Community College and Adamstown Community College, a Board Member of Lucan Community College and Kishoge Community College, and Chair of DDLETB Youthreach. She has supported the development of these schools from their early stages, including the delivery of Griffeen Community College’s permanent three-storey building in 2026. Before her election, she also chaired the Parents’ Associations at St. Thomas’s National School and Scoil Áine Naofa.

Liona believes strong communities are created by people working together. Over the years, she has founded, co-founded and helped establish many initiatives including Lucan Men’s Shed, Lucan Sister Shed, Walk & Talk Lucan, Darkness Into Light Lucan, the St. Brigid’s Day Community Celebration and the Adamstown Big Tree initiative. After leading Lucan Operation Transformation for ten years, she established Walk & Talk Lucan to continue its community spirit. As founder and Chairperson of Darkness Into Light Lucan she works with a dedicated committee of volunteers to deliver the annual Pieta walk in St. Catherine’s Park, which regularly raises close to €40,000.

Sport, wellbeing and community participation have always been important to Liona. She helped establish Griffeen Valley Pétanque Club, introduced hockey into Scoil Áine Naofa and remains actively involved with Griffeen Parkrun as a participant, volunteer and Run Director. She also helped re-establish Griffeen Junior parkrun.

Liona previously served on South Dublin County Council’s Land Use, Planning and Transportation Strategic Policy Committee and now sits on the Economic, Enterprise and Tourism Committee. She works closely with local businesses and the Lucan B2B Business Network and has been actively involved in the “Love Lucan” campaign to promote Lucan Village, support local enterprise and strengthen the local economy.

Healthcare remains an important priority. As a member of the Regional Health Forum, Liona regularly raises issues affecting local health services and continues to advocate for additional Primary Care Centres in Lucan and Adamstown.

For many years, Liona has served Lucan and Adamstown as a Peace Commissioner, appointed by the Minister for Justice. She assists members of the public with statutory declarations, witnessing signatures and certifying documents.

In 2023, she stepped outside her comfort zone by taking part in the Lucan Sarsfields GAA White Collar Boxing event, where she entered the ring against her own daughter, who was thirty years younger. The event raised significant funds for the club and remains one of the most memorable experiences of her community involvement.

Throughout her public life, Liona has remained visible, accessible and committed to the people she represents. As an Independent Councillor she works alongside residents, community groups, businesses and public bodies to deliver practical solutions, strengthen local communities and help ensure Lucan and Adamstown remain great places to live, work and raise a family.