Gallagher officially launches Áras campaign

Independent Presidential hopeful Sean Gallagher officially launched his campaign today at the Royal Hibernian Academy in Dublin.

Speaking at the launch Mr Gallagher responded to the strong attacks exchanged between Gay Mitchell and Martin McGuinness in an earlier radio presidential debate, saying the election should not be about "Punch and Judy party politics".

Mr Gallagher said candidates should refrain from mounting attacks on each other.

"This is not about attacking people, this is about the office of the Presidency," he said.

"The whole campaign is marred with controversy - the office doesn't need controversy.

"We need to get on with the real issues, about what's the role of the President, and this time around how can we use that role in a 'sleeves-rolled-up' way to help get this country back on its feet.

"I'm not interested in the negative, I'm interested in the positive."