Fears Dublin mayor ban could fuel extremist views

Eva Osborne

There are concerns that banning some people from running to become the directly elected mayor of Dublin will only strengthen their views.

The Government is said to be reconsidering plans for the capital to follow Limerick's example, allowing citizens to directly choose their leader.

Some politicians have told the Sunday Times there is a fear someone like Conor McGregor could win, if it was put to a public vote.

Speaking on Newstalk, Associate Professor of Politics at DCU, Eoin O’Malley, said you have to let people have their say, even if you do not like the result.

"It ends up proving the other side's point, you know, they'll kinda say: 'They won't let me run'," he said.

"And so it gives ammunition to what are essentially extremist politicians.

"So I think it would be better if in this case if the government, and if governments generally, just trusted the public. Because the public probably usually get it right."