DANA ROSEMARY SCALLON has secured her place on the ballot paper for the presidential election next month after she was formally nominated by Offaly County Council this afternoon.

Offaly is the fourth local authority to nominate her meaning she has enough support in order to be the third independent candidate on the ballot paper for  the election t0 be held on 27 October.

The former MEP had already secured the backing of county councils in Carlow, Roscommon and Donegal.

This afternoon, Westmeath County Council voted by 10-9 against backing Dana but she already has the required support meaning she joins fellow independents Mary Davis and Seán Gallagher on the ballot paper alongside the Labour candidate Michael D Higgins, Fine Gael’s Gay Mitchell and Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness.

Independent senator David Norris is still awaiting the support of a fourth local authority in order to join the other six candidates on the ballot.

Longford County Council is due to meet at 4pm to consider a motion to nominate Scallon as is Cavan County Council which meets at 7pm tonight.

Dublin City Council will meet to consider a motion to nominate Norris at 6.45pm tonight.

Kildare and Kilkenny County Councils are also due to meet at 8.30am tomorrow. Kilkenny is to consider motions to nominate either Scallon or Norris whilst Kildare will consider a motion to nominate Dana.

Earlier: Norris joins Dana in securing third council nomination >

Read: Davis defends council support for Áras bid as Gallagher criticises her stance >

Read: Norris fails to secure South Dublin County Council support for Áras run >