Businessman and senator take places on president ballot paper
BUSINESSMAN Sean Gallagher and Senator Joan Freeman have secured nominations to challenge in the Republic’s presidential election.
The two hopefuls have gained the required four nominations from local councils and now take their place on the ballot paper beside incumbent President Michael D Higgins in October’s poll.
Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Wexford county councils all backed RTE Dragon’s Den star Mr Gallagher to run in the election. The 2011 runner-up declared his intention to run again two weeks ago following weeks of speculation.
Senator Freeman secured the crucial fourth nomination from Galway City Council yesterday evening, having earned the backing of Fingal and Galway County councils earlier in the day.
She was nominated by Cork County Council last week.
Businessman Gavin Duffy, another star of Ireland’s version of Dragon’s Den, secured his second endorsement after Carlow County Council backed his bid.
As a sitting president, Mr Higgins was able to declare himself a candidate without the backing of political representatives.
Senator Freeman appeared in Fingal County Council alongside artist Kevin Sharkey yesterday afternoon. They were the only two candidates who appeared before the council after presidential hopeful Gemma O’Doherty pulled out an hour before the session began.
She was due to face questions from Councillor Jimmy Guerin, brother of murdered journalist Veronica, after she suggested the state was involved in the reporter’s killing.
Mr Guerin opened up the session by criticising Ms O’Doherty’s comments as “offensive and hurtful”.
In a six-minute speech, Mr Guerin said: “These hurtful, poisonous, unfounded allegations that Ms O’Doherty makes insult not only Veronica’s memory but the gardai who literally put their lives on the line and challenged the gangs that were responsible for her killing.”