Laois councillors fail to back any independent candidates in race for the Áras 

LAOIS County Council failed to nominate any Independent candidate to contest the presidential election.

Councillors followed the dictates issued by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil that councillors should back their nominated candidates of former government minister Heather Humphreys and Jim Gavin, who previously led Dublin to six-in-a-row All-Ireland senior football titles as manager.

Left-wing parties Social Democrats, Labour and People Before Profit are backing the third confirmed independent candidate and Galway West TD Catherine Connolly who has worked as a barrister and clinical psychologist. She served as deputy speaker of the Dáil for four years.

Six of seven candidates presented to the council and they included Charlie Keddy, Keith McGrory, Lucy Ann O’Leary, Abbas Ali O’Shea, Gareth Sheridan and Gerben Uunk.

Professor Dr Joseph Chikelue Obi did not appear and despite efforts by council officials to contact him he failed to turn up in the chambers.

Cathaoirleach and Fine Gael councillor Barry Walsh informed the candidates seeking a presidential nomination to have their names placed on the ballot paper for the 24 October election, that each would be allowed a five minute presentation followed by 10 minutes of questions from elected members.

Mr Sheridan, was seen as the only Independent candidate with a realistic prospect of having his name on the ballot paper and who had secured the backing of Kerry County Council, prior to appearing before the elected members during the 90 minute meeting.

He was proposed and seconded by councillors Moran and Mulligan while also receiving backing from now Independent councillor Dwane Stanley who said his name should be allowed on the ballot paper. Cllr Dwane Stanley admitted that she would be giving her vote to Labour nominee Catherine Connolly.

However, the special meeting in Laois council chambers descended into heated protestations from Independent councillors Aisling Moran, Tommy Mulligan and former Sinn Féin councillor Caroline Dwane Stanley when Mr Sheridan failed to be nominated following a vote of 11 to 8.

An angry Cllr Moran informed elected members that due to no Independent candidate being backed by the council to have his or her name on the ballot paper “is very dangerous” for democracy.

Cllr Moran continued: “This (failing to back his nomination) is not silencing Gareth Sheridan. This is an undemocratic block and an authoritarian move. For any person in their 30s or 40s (councillors are saying) they should not apply. This is scandalous. Councils do not have a veto to block. Éamon de Valera will turn in his grave seeing his Constitution being torn to shreds.

“I’m now asking that we hold a referendum on how such a block is allowed in presidential elections.” Prior to her outburst, Cllr Moran nominated and proposed Mr Sheridan, who described him as being “honest, hardworking and full of integrity”.

She continued: “After hours of questioning by me, my wife and kids of him I would ask councillors (Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil) to just abstain and let him get on the ballot paper.

“(Tánaiste) Simon Harris has ordered elected members to block any independent candidates. We have to give people the opportunity, we can’t have a three-horse race, we can’t be dictated to by Leinster House, we have to decide on a candidate. Not asking you to vote for Gareth as president but just to get on the ballot paper.” Independent councillor James Kelly seconded her proposal.

Cllr Kelly added: “Four local authorities with over 950 councillors of whom a good percentage have been told to block independent candidates, but that’s going against choice. There are three candidates appointed by the established parties, (this is) not openness.” Fellow Independent councillor Tommy Mulligan who also backed Mr Sheridan’s bid pointed out that he was “non-political, he has integrity, relates to every generation, is a hugely successful representative for our country. I know Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil blocked giving a nomination to any independent candidate but I’m totally against it. Is there anything more undemocratic?” Cllr Dwane Stanley noted that she was “supporting Gareth Sheridan for one reason as this should be a democratic process. I won’t be voting for him to be president. It’s not election day (here now) but it’s about allowing a person to go on the ballot paper. Don’t block democracy as it’s not often we get a young person wanting to go forward to run as president.” Fianna Fail’s Paschal McEvoy, Paddy Bracken, Catherine Fitzgerald, John Joe Fennelly, Padraig Fleming and Seamus McDonald all voted no as did Fine Gael’s Conor Bergin, Vivienne Phelan, Paddy Buggy, John King and Barry Walsh, as mandated by their party.

Independents Ollie Clooney, Aisling Moran, Tommy Mulligan, Caroline Dwane-Stanley, Aidan Mullins, Ben Brennan and James Kelly along with Labour’s Marie Tuohy all voted in favour.

First to present to the elected members was Independent Keith McGrory, a registered house builder, construction quantity surveyor while being an inventor and founder of HighTower Painting Products. Mr McGrory explained his depth of political understanding as his brother Ronan was injured in the Omagh bombings of 1998 and that he has “lived through The Troubles.” He is also heavily involved in soccer and other sports The Donegal native informed councillors that the country “does not need someone to go there (Áras an Uachtaráin) for a nursing home.” His presentation was followed by Lucy Ann O’Leary, who is a chief executive officer of several charities whose background is in political science.

Ms O’Leary explained that views the presidency as “more than an office. I believe in an Ireland that leaves no-one behind, every voice matters and community is key (in life).” Third to present was Abbas Ali O’Shea, who was born in Bagdad, and moved to Ireland when he was much younger and is now an Irish citizen who works in education and international trade.

Thirty-six-year-old Mr Sheridan was the fourth to appear before the elected members who informed them that he is pro EU membership, pro neutrality, pro ceasefire in Gaza, pro Ukraine, pro choice, and pro business.

“My generation are the lost generation, they will be less well-off than their parents,” he added, explaining how important sorting out the housing crisis is to him.

Next to pitch to the councillors was Charlie Keddy who told them that he was “not going to bore” them and that he was appearing before them as an “anti abortion” potential candidate who is also opposed to same sex marriage.

“I can’t change things one iota, but I want to be president for life of the unborn. (I) would love the people of Ireland to have their say and not just this council,” he added.

Finally Gerben Uunk who is a member of the Party of Animal Welfare and who works in horticulture, revealed to councillors that he is “Pro everything (and) believes deeply in equality, standing up for all, people, animals and land. Works in horticulture, and is very passionate about animal welfare.” Mr Uunk explained that he wanted to be “president for all people” who wanted to have a “First dog and First cat,” living in the Áras.

Michael D Higgins' time as president of Ireland will come to an end in November.

Serving as president for 14 years Mr Higgins is regarded as one of Ireland's most popular politicians.