Norris prevented from addressing council

Galway City Council has voted not to allow Senator David Norris to address the council in his bid to secure a nomination to run for president.

Senator Norris needs the support of four local authorities if he is to run for the Áras.

It is understood the newly appointed Fine Gael Galway City Mayor Hildegarde Naughton had actively blocked him from presenting to the council.

Meanwhile Norris' fellow indepdent presidential hopeful Sean Gallagher has received a set-back in his home county.

Cavan County Council voted against a motion to back his bid to run for the Áras.

Mr Gallagher said it was a purely political decision by the Fine Gael majority on the council.

"I spoke to the whip of the Fine Gael group, who told me as he smiled 'this is politics'," Mr Gallagher said.