A quantity surveyor, filmmaker, multiple activists and academics are among the candidates seeking a presidential nomination from Clare County Council today.
Just six of the twenty-six presidential hopefuls who sent an expression of interest to the local authority have confirmed their attendance for the special meeting this afternoon.
So far just three names are confirmed for the Presidential Ballot on October 25th, namely Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys, Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin and Independent Catherine Connolly.
36-year old Nutriband CEO Gareth Sheridan is halfway there having secured two local authority nominations, but the Dubliner is not going before Clare County Council today and has narrowly missed out on Meath’s backing this morning.
Neither is barrister, architect and Iona Institute member Maria Steen, who is hoping to secure the backing of 18 Oireachtas members by the end of today.
Irish Times Political Correspondent Harry McGee says the Government parties are making it difficult for others.
Coming before the special meeting of Clare County Council today at 2pm will be former journalist and documentary maker Searlait Ní Chianáin, quantity surveyor Keith McGrory and gaeilgóir Diarmaid Mulcahy.
Award winning academic, researcher and mathematician Dr Cora Stack will also face the council, along with acupuncturist and anti-migration activist Sarah-Louise Mulligan.
The only known politician before the chamber will be Leader of the Party for Animal Welfare, Gerben Uunk who unsuccessfully ran for Mayor of Limerick last June.
In 2011, Clare County Council gave it’s backing to Donegal Businessman Peter Casey, it remains to be seen if any candidate today will be as lucky.
