'Trump politics': Row at Laois council meeting as no presidential candidates nominated

Sarah Slater

Laois County Council failed to nominate any Independent candidate to contest the presidential election.

Councillors followed the dictates issued by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil that councillors should back their nominated candidates of Heather Humphreys and Jim Gavin.

The special meeting in Laois council chambers descended into heated protestations from Independent councillors Aisling Moran, Tommy Mulligan and former Sinn Féin councillor Caroline Dwane Stanley.

Gareth Sheridan, who has so far secured the backing of Kerry County Council to have his name on the presidential ballot paper in next month’s election, was one of six candidates to appear before the elected members during the 90 minute meeting.

He was proposed and seconded by councillors Moran and Mulligan while also receiving backing from now Independent councillor Dwane Stanley who said his name should be allowed on the ballot paper. She admitted that she would be giving her vote to Labour nominee Catherine Connolly.

An angry Cllr Moran informed elected members that due to no Independent candidate being backed by the council to have his or her name on the ballot paper “is very dangerous” for democracy.

This is no different than Trump politics.

Cllr Moran continued: “This is not silencing Gavin Sheridan. This is an undemocratic block and an authoritarian move. For any person in their 30s or 40s (councillors are saying) they should not apply. This is scandalous.”

Cllr Mulligan added: “This is no different than Trump politics,” while Cllr Dwane Stanley pointed out that she is on the record for backing Caroline Connolly.

“I’m supporting Gareth Sheridan for one reason as this should be a democratic process. I won’t be voting for him to be President. This is not election day but this is about allowing a person to go on the ballot paper. Don’t block democracy as it’s not often we get a young person wanting to go forward to run as President."

The other candidates who presented to the council included Charlie Keddy, Keith McGrory, Lucy Ann O’Leary, Abbas Ali O’Shea and Gerben Uunk. None received any propers or seconders.