Dana accuses establishment of blocking bid

Former MEP Rosemary Dana Scallon has accused the political establishment of trying to block a presidential election on October 22.

Ms Scallon was responding to reports the Fine Gael leadership had ordered its councillors not to support her efforts to secure a nomination to contest the election.

The former Connacht-Ulster MEP has vowed to continue her fight to secure a nomination despite the setback. She needs the backing of four county councils to get her name on the ballot paper.

Meanwhile, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has insisted the Fianna Fáil leadership has not ordered its councillors to block Ms Scallon's bid to get nominated.