No Pressure

higgins still in front as former dragons’ den judge gallagher adds name to october 26 poll

SEAN Gallagher is set to enter the Presidential race this morning – as Friday, October 26, was confirmed as polling day .

The former Dragons’ Den judge has been canvassing intensely for months and may now have the four councils required to secure a nomination.

The businessman was leading the last race in 2011 until the final live TV debate during which a “tweetgate” incident linking him to a brown envelope payment derailed his campaign.

The Irish Mirror understands he will get the nod from Kilkenny, with a Fianna Fail member saying he is “100% sure he will be running and will have this council supporting him”.

Mr Gallagher will also be proposed at Carlow – again by Fianna Fail – and is targeting the councils of Leitrim, Meath, Cork and Louth. Michael D Higgins remains red-hot favourite to retain the office of President but bookies have now installed Mr Gallagher in second place.

Meanwhile, Eoghan Murphy yesterday fired the starting gun for the election, announcing October 26 as polling day.

It means the clock is ticking for candidates to get on the ballot paper, with the deadline set for September 26.

The winner will be formally inaugurated as the 10th President of Ireland on Sunday, November 11.

Nominations can be obtained in two ways. The first is to secure the signatures of at least 20 members of the Oireachtas.

Although there are 158 TDS and 60 senators available, this is not as easy as it sounds. Most votes are locked away inside political parties and the whip normally prevents members signing papers for independent candidates.

The second route is to convince local authorities to back your bid.

There are 31 city or county councils and a presidential hopeful must get the endorsement of four to get into the race. At the moment a range of diverse characters are touring the country and making pitches at local meetings.

Nine turned up at Meath County Council on Monday morning, including the broadcaster and PR man Gavin Duffy, senator and Pieta House charity founder Joan Freeman and Marilyn Monroe impersonator and Trump supporter Sarah-louise Mulligan.

The prize is a salary of €250,000, Aras an Uachtarain, generous expenses and five-star travel for State duties.

Every Irish citizen aged 18 years and over and included in the register of electors is entitled to vote.

Those who are eligible but not registered can apply for entry in the supplement to the register of electors which will be published before polling day.

Application forms can be downloaded from www.checktheregister.ie or obtained from the relevant council.