SPECIAL OLYMPICS ORGANISER Mary Davis looks to have won her nomination as an Independent presidential candidate after securing the backing of two more councils.

Tipperary North County Council yesterday voted to support Ms Davis’ bid, while Kerry County Council passed a “motion of intent” to nominate her. She has already won support from local authorities in Louth, Monaghan, Mayo and Limerick. A candidate requires the backing of four local authorities, or 20 members of the Oireachtas, to run in the election.

Kerry County Council passed the motion by 13 votes to two, with all Fine Gael councillors abstaining. However, a spokesman told RTÉ it was not a final endorsement of Ms Davis’ candidacy and the council will not formally nominate a candidate until September at the earliest.

According to the Irish Times, Ms Davis told the council chamber: “I want to rebuild and repair the good name of Ireland internationally. In my travels abroad I have seen how the reputation has become tarnished. I would like to bring my energy and dynamism to the role of president.”

Four would-be Independent presidential candidates addressed Kerry councillors yesterday: Ms Davis, Senator David Norris, businessman Seán Gallagher and ‘People’s Choice’ candidate Richard McSweeney. Mr Gallagher has already won the support of four councils, while only one has pledged to back Senator Norris.

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