Gallagher and Norris snubbed by two councils

TWO of the most high-profile candidates in the race for the presidency suffered setbacks yesterday when they were snubbed by local authorities.

In Galway, the man previously seen as one of the favourites for the Áras, Independent Senator David Norris was prevented from addressing the city council.

An application to speak to the members was voted on by councillors.

It was opposed by Fine Gael members Padraig Conneely and Frank Fahy, and the three Fianna Fáil members.

Independent Cllr Donal Lyons also opposed the application. However, seven other councillors voted in favour of allowing Mr Norris to speak.

This meant the casting vote went to the new mayor of Galway, Fine Gael Cllr Hildegarde Naughton. She voted against meaning he could not address the council.

However, later last night Cllr Naughton changed her mind, apologised to the Senator and said she would do all in her power to have the decision reversed.

Fine Gael has also thrown a spanner in the works for Dragons’ Den star Sean Gallagher.

Last night, he claimed Fine Gael councillors on Cavan County Council had opposed a motion of support for his candidacy “following apparent instructions from party headquarters”.

“In other councils, Fine Gael councillors have either abstained or voted for motions of support for me,” he said.

“However, following the selection of the Fine Gael candidate, party councillors informed me that they are now under instructions from Fine Gael party headquarters to oppose any motion of support for independent candidates. This is blatantly putting party politics above the presidency.”

However, there was better news for Mary Davis yesterday, another independent candidate.

She looks certain to have her name on the ballot paper this autumn after two more local authorities indicated their support for her nomination.

The president and managing director of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia yesterday received the backing of Limerick and Mayo county councils.

Ms Davis has already received pledges of support from Louth and Monaghan local authorities.

While Limerick County Council is not expected to formally vote until next week, councillors from all political parties yesterday gave a commitment to support Ms Davis’s nomination once the writ for the election is moved in September.

The Mayo woman also received the support of her native local authority yesterday when all 17 Fine Gael councillors on Mayo County Council abstained. She was proposed and seconded by the independents.

Speaking after addressing Limerick County Council, Ms Davis said she was “humbled” to have the necessary backing of four local authorities.

Ms Davis also said she has received huge support from Galway County Council, who will be meeting later this month to formally make their decision.

She was “absolutely thrilled” to have received the support of four county councils, particularly as an independent candidate with no political affiliations.

“It’s a great occasion that I am here that I have received the endorsement of the county councils, albeit that I must wait, as all independent candidates do, until the writ has been passed in September,” Ms Davis said.

“That’s one of the real issues, I think, because the political parties have put their candidates forward now and they are in the race already and the independent candidates must wait until September to find out for sure — although the endorsements are strong.”