GALL TO PLAY FOR
Dragons’ Den Sean & Senator Freeman net council support for president poll
Gavin Duffy is expected to join race SEAN Gallagher and Joan Freeman will be on the ballot paper for the presidential election.
The move means businessman Gallagher and Senator Freeman will make sure incumbent Michael D Higgins will not be returned for a second term without a struggle.
The ex-dragons’ Den star had to secure the backing of four local authorities with Wexford County Council paving the way for him to run in the election.
Psychologist and mental health activist Joan Freeman secured the support of councillors in Fingal, Galway County Council, Galway City
Council and Cork City Council to back her bid. They are expected to be joined by another former star of Dragons’ Den Gavin Duffy. He should also get support from four local authorities to get into the race. Sinn Fein confirmed it will announce its candidate on Sunday.
It is widely expected to be MEP Liaidh Ni Riada. Mr Gallagher narrowly lost the last presidential race after going into the closing days as the bookies’ Michael D Higgins is tipped to win Sean Gallagher speaks to media yesterday
favourite. However, a shock tweet read out during the last debate on RTE that linked him to Fianna Fail and a brown envelope donation scuppered his chances.
Last night he said he was both honoured and humbled to get the chance to run again.
Mr Gallagher added he would now be contacting other councils that were going to vote to enable him to run.
The candidate will ask them to withdraw those motions of support for him to open up opportunities for other potential runners.
Mr Gallagher said: “I am indeed honoured and humbled to receive the support today of four local authorities in Roscommon, Leitrim and Wexford.
“In the last few hours I have reached out to a number of other councils, Fingal, Galway City and Offaly to invite them to withdraw the motions that are now coming before them in my favour and to seek to nominate other candidates if they so wish.
“I believe democracy is best-served when we have a number of people on the ballot paper bringing their skills and experience and offering that to the Irish people.
“We begin the campaign proper now and I want to – as I’ve been doing for the last 10 days – outline my vision of the next seven years for a changed Ireland.
“I do not wish to be Michael D Higgins’ replacement, I wish instead to be his successor and to continue the great work he has done.”
Both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have decided not to run candidates.