Laois Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil accused of blocking Gareth Sheridan's nomination

Laois County Council has voted against nominating any candidate for the Irish presidential election, with angry accusations of a loss of democracy and assertions that De Valera is "turning in his grave".

A special meeting to hear from any would be candidates to run for the Irish presidency, was heard in council chambers in Portlaoise on Monday, September 15.

Six candidates turned up to give their five minute pitches and answer a further five minutes of questions by the councillors. 
Businessman Gareth Sheridan, 36, was the only one proposed, by Cllr Aisling Moran.

However the vote was defeated by 11 votes to eight, when Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael councillors voted against her proposal. 

She had been co-seconded by Cllr James Kelly and Cllr Tommy Mulligan, with Labour party Cllr Marie Tuohy, Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley, Cllr Ollie Clooney, Cllr Ben Brennan and Cllr Aidan Mullins all voting to let Mr Sheridan run in the election.

Mr Sheridan had appealed to the council not to dismiss his attempt to run as "youthful arrogance".

"I was never elected nor actively in politics but neither is Jim Gavin. He does bring life experience but I do have a record of exceptional performance. Out of the millions of Irish who emigrated to the US, I successfully founded and floated a company on the stock exchange. That may be as rare as five All Irelands in a row. 

"I am pro EU membership, pro neutrality, I want an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, I am pro a united Ireland, pro same-sex marriage, pro choice and pro business," he said.

Cllr Mulligan said that a block of their vote would be undemocratic while Cllr Kelly said the president's role should be “the choice of the people” and above politics.

Cllr Tuohy and Cllr Dwane Stanley said they are both backing the candidate Catherine Connelly but also wanted Mr Sheridan to be allowed to run in the name of democracy.

When the proposal was lost, Cllr Moran gave a passionate reaction.

"This is very dangerous for our democracy. You are depriving an entire generation of a voice. Why are Government parties conspiring? What are you afraid of? An independent voice? DeValera would turn in his grave, this is an anti-democratic authoritarian move," she claimed.

Cllr Mulligan said the block of their vote was "no different than Trump politics".

Fianna Fáil Cllr Paschal McEvoy refuted the claim saying "it's one man one vote, it's about numbers”.

Five other candidates came to speak at the meeting.

Young Donegal builder Keith McGrory with construction degrees wants to tackle the housing crisis. He said his experience of rescuing his brother alive from the Omagh bombing, gave him insight into helping other nations to secure peace. 

Lucy Ann O'Leary said as a CEO of multiple charities, her work in global humanitarian, diplomatic and political arenas, gave her experience, describing Ireland as suffering from "civil unrest".

Abbas Ali O'Shea from Dublin was born in Bagdad, and said he wanted to "build a bridge" between Ireland and the world, having worked in education, international trade and community services, to represent all other Irish citizens.

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Charlie Keddy said he has an anti-abortion agenda and wants to be a "president for life of the unborn", while also against same sex marriage.

Dutch native Gerben Uunk told Laois County Council he has compassion for all sentient beings in Ireland including animals and plants. A member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) he was liberal but against greyhound racing and fox hunting.