Doolan contested the 1999 Dublin Corporation election for Sinn Féin in the South East Inner City local electoral area (LEA).

As an elected councillor between 2004 and 2009, Doolan called for the easing of restrictions on immigrant workers,[10] and for better fire-safety provisions in apartment construction.

Ahern stated "I don't think there were any instructions given by the IRA," adding: "Elements, probably of criminality, claimed they had links with republicans.

[19] In September 2011 Doolan left Citywide to take up a post as parliamentary assistant to Peadar Tóibín TD.

Before being re-elected to Dublin City Council in 2014, Doolan was parliamentary assistant to Brian Stanley TD.