High Court refuses Cora Stack’s challenge to presidential nomination process

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

On 23 October 2025, Mr Justice Mark Heslin refused Dr Cora Stack permission to bring a High Court judicial review of the presidential nomination process, finding that her application had no arguable basis. He also awarded costs to the State parties.

Stack argued that the process unlawfully blocked independent candidates and sought orders requiring it to be conducted lawfully and fairly. The judge said she had provided no evidence of efforts to secure the support of 20 Oireachtas members, or that a councillor had proposed or seconded her. He noted that she had attended two council meetings.

The judge said changes to the nomination rules were for the people and their elected representatives, and that the courts’ role was to interpret and administer the law.