Eighteen Presidential hopefuls invited to address Sligo County Council but chances of a nomination are slim

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Sligo County Council has invited 18 Presidential hopefuls to address councillors on Monday, September 22 at 10am.

The council has received correspondence from the potential candidates seeking the council to nominate them.

Prior to the conclusion of business at Monday’s monthly meeting of the council, councillors held an in-camera meeting to discuss the holding of a special meeting where they will hear from prospective Presidential candidates.

The Sligo Champion understands the 18 candidates who are seeking a nomination from Sligo County Council are as follows: Dominick Plant, Prof Dr Joseph Chikelue Obi, Donnacha MacGabhann, Lorna McCormack, Keith McGrory, Barry Wheely-Row, Conor O Brien, Nick Delahanty, Dr Cora Stack, Charlotte Keenan, Gareth Sheridan, Sarah Louise Mulligan, Billy O’Connell, William P. Allen, Gearoid Duffy, Matilda Bryson, Peter Casey and Gerben Uunk.

Many of those seeking a nomination are not well known but it is thought Barry Wheely-Row is a pseudonym used by Manorhamilton poet Stephen Murphy.

The chances of any candidate receiving a council nomination let alone a single vote is extremely unlikely with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael councillors set to back their own candidates. Labour councillor Ann Higgins will be supporting Catherine Connolly as will Cllr Gino O’Boyle (People Before Profit) and Cllr Declan Bree (Independent Socialist).

Potential candidates seeking to have their name on the election ballot require the backing of 20 members of the Oireachtas or four County Councils.