No Corkonian on ballot paper yet
It remains to be seen if a Cork person will be in the running to be the next President of Ireland.
It comes as Fianna Fáil members picked GAA personality Jim Gavin ahead of Corkman and MEP Billy Kelleher during a vote on Tuesday. The result was 41-29, a tighter outcome than what had been speculated.
The MEP said: “I am a Fianna Fáil man to my core. Jim will have my absolute support in the upcoming campaign and election, and I look forward to campaigning and voting for him as our next Uachtarán na hÉireann. While being the Fianna Fáil candidate for President of Ireland would have been a great honour for me personally, it was sadly not to be.
“Despite this, I am very heartened by my strong showing in today’s selection process. I want to sincerely thank all those who voted for me; those who gave me advice and support all throughout this process, and of course, my family, without whom nothing I have ever achieved in politics could have been possible.
“After a few days with my family, I am looking forward to getting back to work as Head of Delegation of the Fianna Fáil team in the European Parliament, and as Deputy Leader of Europe’s liberals and democrats in Brussels,” concluded Kelleher.
Jim Gavin now joins Independent TD Catherine Connolly and Fine Gael TD Heather Humphries on the ballot.
Independent Cllr and Cork Independent columnist Kieran McCarthy is currently seeking nominations from local authorities having travelled to Tralee on Monday to bid for a nomination from Kerry County Council.
Speaking to the Cork Independent he described it as “an uphill battle” to get the recommended nominations but said it was a really interesting process to go before local authorities and present a five-minute pitch. He said he has ideas around national and cultural heritage as well as championing the diaspora.
He said he was asked questions about Northen Ireland and the role of local authorities, among others.
“It was a hard grilling, it wasn’t easy but I’m glad I did it,” said Cllr McCarthy adding that he is aiming to present at 7 or 8 more local authorities – including his own Cork City Council.
Electrical contractor William P Allen from Cork also pitched to councillors on Kerry County Council and is seeking nominations.
Honorary Corkman Michael Flatley withdrew from the race after dipping his foot into the possibility of running recently.
Polling day has been confirmed for Friday 24 October and nominations for candidates will close a month before that.