From CEOs to fringe figures: The 13 Áras hopefuls seeking a nomination from Mayo County County
Mayo County Council has received 13 requests from prospective candidates seeking a nomination for the upcoming Presidential Election.
Polling day has been officially set for Friday, October 24. To date, only two candidates have been formally confirmed: Fine Gael TD Heather Humphreys and Independent TD Catherine Connolly, who is backed by the Labour Party.
Sinn Féin has yet to nominate a candidate. Fianna Fáil’s nomination is between MEP Billy Kelleher and former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin, who has the backing of party leader Micheál Martin.
Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has ruled himself out, citing insufficient party support. Fianna Fáil’s secret ballot closes at 5pm this evening, with successful candidates requiring the backing of at least 20 Oireachtas members.
Under Article 12 of the Constitution, candidates may also run if nominated by four County or City Councils.
At a meeting of the Corporate Policy Group on Monday, July 7, councillors recommended that all candidates submit their nomination requests in writing, accompanied by a supporting statement.
Among those seeking a nomination is Gareth Sheridan, the former CEO of Nutriband, who recently stepped down to run for the Áras. He has centred his campaign on housing, pledging to be a voice for youngers generations and a representative for everyone.
Sarah Louise Mulligan, previously sought a nomination from Mayo County Council in 2018. She describes herself as a humanitarian public figure and the first Irish woman to support US President Donald Trump publicly.
Former solicitor Nick Delehanty also hopes to gain the backing of Mayo councillors. He has been a critic of multiculturalism and public spending on international protection accommodation centres. He previously ran unsuccessfully in the 2024 local and general elections.
Dr Donncha MacGabhann, a former art teacher from Limerick, is campaigning on constitutional awareness and the protection of democracy in Ireland.
Another candidate, Barry Wheely-Row, says he aims to “bring the craic back” to Irish politics.
Lorna McCormack, founder of Wool in School, is also seeking a nomination. Based in Meath, she is a European Climate Pact Ambassador and heritage specialist passionate about tackling climate change and easing inequality.
Joseph Chikelue Obi, a qualified doctor who is running for a “United Island of Ireland”. He is based in Cavan.
Other requests have come from a number of unsuccessful 2024 general election candidates.
Charlotte Keenan, a farmer, artist, and sport psychologist from Westmeath, ran as an independent candidate in Westmeath.
Walter Ryan-Purcell, has a background in agricultural science and marketing, and ran for Independent Ireland in the Cork North West constituency. Dominic Plant, an IT and GDPR manager based in Wicklow, ran as an independent candidate in Wicklow.
Additional candidates include: Dr Cora Stack, a lecturer in Mathematics at Technological University of Dublin; Keith McGrory, a managing director at McGrory Homes Ltd based in Waterford; Paudie O’Duinnin based in Cork; and Billy O’Connell based in Cork City.
If councillors decide to nominate a candidate, they can do so by adopting item nine on the agenda for Monday’s monthly county council meeting. This would then lead to a nomination form being completed and submitted to the Presidential Returning Officer on behalf of Mayo County Council.
Candidates have until Wednesday, September 24 to write to the council seeking a nomination. Senior Executive Officer Martina Hughes stated in a letter addressed to councillors that submissions received up to the date of the council meeting would be circulated to members for consideration.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.