‘Nonsense’ to suggest Fine Gael councillors should back independent candidates
By Cillian Sherlock, PA
It is “balderdash” to suggest that Fine Gael councillors should facilitate the nomination of independent candidates to run for president, Simon Harris has said.
The Fine Gael leader said it was an “utter nonsense” that his councillors should be expected to back anyone other than party candidate Heather Humphreys.
The presidential election will be held on Friday, October 24th.
To be eligible to run, a candidate must be nominated either by 20 members of the Oireachtas or four local authorities.
They must also be an Irish citizen over the age of 35.
Several independents have expressed an interest in securing a nomination through the local authority process – but this will be difficult without the support of Government councillors.
Speaking to reporters at the Fine Gael think-in in Mullingar, Mr Harris said: “Show me the line in the Constitution that says Fine Gael must nominate its political opponents. I mean, this is balderdash and it’s the latest attempt at disinformation and misinformation.”
He said: “The Fine Gael party is backing the Fine Gael candidate. Hold the front page.”
Mr Harris said the constitutional process was “very clear” and added: “It won’t come as a surprise to anybody who understands anything about politics that the Fine Gael party is fully united behind the incredible, brilliant Heather Humphreys, who’s going to make a super candidate, make a super president.”
Mr Harris also criticised tech billionaire Elon Musk’s expression of support for the potential candidacy of mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor.
Mr Musk posted on his social media platform X: “Shame on Simon Harris for tyrannically blocking the will of the people of Ireland!
“Conor McGregor for president to save Ireland.”
Earlier this year, McGregor lost his appeal against a civil jury’s finding in favour of Dublin woman Nikita Hand, who accused him of rape.
Ms Hand, 35, successfully sued McGregor in a civil court over an incident in which he was alleged to have “brutally raped and battered” her in a penthouse at a south Dublin hotel in December 2018.
Ms Hand was awarded almost €250,000 in damages and McGregor was also ordered to pay about €1.3 million in legal costs following the November trial.
Mr Harris said: “I see Elon Musk joined in today – and sure, why not?”
He added: “That’s the sort of man he believes should be president of Ireland.
“Thank God – he might have a say as to who is president of the United States of America, but he’s no say in terms of who the president of Ireland is.”
