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Independent candidates Seán Gallagher and Mary Davis. Photocall Ireland
Race for the Áras
Councils formally pledge support for Gallagher and Davis
The two independent presidential candidates need to secure at least four nominations each before the end of this month – and now have two apiece.
INDEPENDENT PRESIDENTIAL candidates Mary Davis and Seán Gallagher have both secured formal nominations from local authorities ahead of next month’s election.
The candidates have until the 28 September to secure the required number of four nominations from local authorities. They have both already been given assurances from councils around the country that they will each have enough support to appear on the ballot.
On Friday, Galway County Council formally nominated Davis, and she secured a second nomination today with Sligo County Council. Speaking after today’s nomination, Davis thanked Sligo councillors for their “support and ongoing encouragement”.
Meanwhile, Seán Gallagher said today that he was delighted to be formally nominated by Meath County Council. He said that local authorities “have shown they value their powers to nominate candidates for the presidency and were prepared to give those running as independents a fair hearing”.
This evening, Leitrim County Council also pledged its support for Gallagher, giving him his second formal nomination. He said he believed councillors “are the closest to the people” and thanked the Leitrim and Meath authorities for their support.
Sinn Féin is still debating whether it will put forward a candidate for the election or not, and is expected to make that decision after its Ard Fheis this weekend. Indpendent TD Mattie McGrath told TheJournal.ie today that independent TDs will discuss possible candidates to back in the election when they meet on Friday.
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