Clare County Council has decided not to nominate any candidates for the Presidential Election.
Five candidates pitched their case to the local authority at a special meeting today.
In total, 26 people sent an expression of interest to Clare County Council seeking a nomination to get on the Presidential Election ballot paper, but only five made an appearance at the chamber today.
Neither Gareth Sheridan, who earlier today conceded his campaign after failing to get the backing of Offaly and Meath County Council’s or Maria Steen attended Áras Chontae An Chláir.
The first to speak to Clare’s elected representatives was Searlait Ni Chíanáin who recovered well after mistakenly greeting “Kerry and Clare” county councillors to pitch a platform of social justice, improved healthcare , culture and heritage.
Gaeilgór Diarmaid Mulcahy from Galway was next, his main priorities were peace, neutrality and addressing regional imbalances, notably he was the only candidate to remain in the chamber for the duration of the meeting.
Anti-Immigration Activist, Acupuncturist and DCU Graduate Sarah-Louise Mulligan was next up and voiced concerns over an alleged influx in migrant crime, while voicing support for Enoch Burke, Elon Musk and Donald Trump.
This was fiercely challenged by Sinn Féin’s Cllr James Ryan and Mayor of Ennis Cllr Mary Howard, with the latter describing Mulligan as disrespectful, unprofessional and doing a disservice to the women of Ireland.
Academic Dr Cora Stack followed and went so far overtime on her speech that there was no time for Q&A, she then accused councillors of blocking her campaign and abruptly left.
Animal Rights Activist and Leader of the Party For Animal Welfare Gerben Uunk was last to present, but was ultimately unsuccessful with no councillor proposing to nominate any candidate before the local authority.
