Peter Casey writes to councillors seeking presidential nomination

Former Dragon’s Den star said he wants to transfer significant powers of the presidency to local councillors

In his email to some councillors on Cork City Council, would-be presidential candidate Peter Casey also highlighted immigration policies saying 'communities feel overwhelmed'. File picture: Sam Boal/RollingNews

Peter Casey has started writing to local councils seeking support in his bid to get on the ballot for the upcoming presidential election.

In an email to some councillors on Cork City Council, Mr Casey said he was seeking their nomination and outlined his platform for the presidency.

The former Dragon’s Den star said he wanted to transfer “significant powers of the presidency to county councillors” and allow them to “shape” national decisions.

“Each county councillor would have a confidential vote on whether the President should grant a pardon, refer legislation to the Supreme Court,  or refuse to accept the resignation of the Taoiseach,” Mr Casey said.

This initiative will give local communities a genuine voice in governance. 

Mr Casey highlighted immigration policies as another policy platform, saying local councils have been overstretched and “communities feel overwhelmed”.

The former Dragon’s Den investor contested the 2018 presidential election. He finished in second place, securing 23.3% of first preference votes. This was despite coming under fire during the campaigns and calls for him to drop out of the race following comments he made about the traveller community.

Incumbent President Michael D Higgins defeated him.

Mr Casey also contested the European Parliament elections in 2019 and 2024, as well as the 2020 general election. He was not elected.

Several independent would-be candidates

The former reality TV star is one of several independent candidates seeking to contest the presidential election on October 24.

Among those seeking support are Gavin Sheridan, Nick Delahanty, Joanna Donnelly, and Maria Steen. 

Bob Geldof, Conor McGregor, and Michael Flatley have also been linked to runs.

To date, just two candidates have been confirmed. Independent TD Catherine Connolly will run with the backing of Labour, the Social Democrats and People Before Profit, while

Fine Gael will run its former minister Heather Humphreys in the race.

Fianna Fáil will choose its candidate next Tuesday as the parliamentary party meets in Leinster House to vote for Jim Gavin or Billy Kelleher.

Sinn Féin, meanwhile, will not announce its candidate until September 20.