Áras hopefuls fail to gain Galway traction

Of the thirty potential candidates who put their names forward, just five appeared in person to make their case – Aidan Harrington, Seána Kerr, Gearóid Ó Dubhthaigh, Lucy Anne O’Leary and Gerben Uunk.

That was two more than City Hall on Monday where only three hopefuls turned up – Diarmuid Mulcahy, Nick Delahanty and Keith McGrory. And as with the County Council, none impressed to the point of securing a nomination.

To contest the Presidency, candidates must secure the backing of either four local authorities or 20 Oireachtas members, but neither of Galway’s local authorities endorsed any candidate to go forward, and the hopefuls left town empty handed.

Cathaoirleach David Collins (FG) said the absence of the majority of contenders showed little regard for Councillors’ time.

“Thirty names were submitted, yet 25 candidates didn’t bother to turn up. That is hugely disappointing. Councillors’ time is precious, and courtesy was not shown,” he said.

Those who did attend presented a wide range of views and experiences.

Bus driver Aidan Harrington, originally from Navan and now living in Cavan, spoke poignantly about his own battle with mental health.

During his presentation, he explained candidly how he had “reached a low point in March of this year and attempted suicide by drowning.”

He is now a strong advocate for mental health and intellectual disability issues. He wants to use his platform to “break the stigma around mental health” and described how his experience as a bus driver has given him an insight into Ireland’s loneliness epidemic.

With a degree in history and politics from UCD, he emphasised the importance of the tourism and hospitality sectors, and the fundamental need for connection in society.

Seána Kerr focused on the role of the traditional family unit as the cornerstone of society. She described her “deep love for the nation” and her platform is inspired by faith and community values. In her address, she said the “triad of the mother, father and child should be the basis for the constitution.”

She went on to state that “this unit is necessary for social order” and argued that a focus on the traditional family unit can be applied to all manners of public office. In this way, she said she can “positively impact the future” and later described herself as a “changemaker.”

Cork’s Gearóid Ó Dubhthaigh raised concerns about the democratic process and the shortcomings of the marriage referendum. He described it as “a decoupling of the conjugal act of marriage” which should be about “making life for the next generation” and urged greater fairness, balance, and transparency in the political system.

Originally from South Sligo, Gearóid works in water and environmental services.

He spoke of Charlie Kirk and cautioned that “what happened there could happen in our future, and we don’t want that” referring to the recent shooting of the American right-wing activist.

A CEO and director of multiple charities throughout her career, Lucy Anne O’Leary holds a strong background in international relations and political science. She pledged to champion justice, peace and inclusion, while positioning the Presidency as a symbol of national unity. She also highlighted the importance of our national culture, advocating for musicians, artists and storytellers.

“I have consistently demonstrated the ability to unite diverse groups; my practical experience gives me the skills to navigate complex global challenges with visual ambition. I want to serve as President because I believe in an island that leaves no one behind,” she said

Animal welfare advocate, Gerben Uunk, is no stranger to politics having previously contested the Limerick Mayoral Election, local elections in the Newcastle West electoral area and the General Election in the Limerick County constituency.

Co-founder of the Party for Animal Welfare, he is originally from the Netherlands. His platform centres on equal rights for all living beings, opposition to racism, Irish neutrality, and constitutional reform.

He spoke passionately about ending subsidies for greyhound racing, hare coursing, and horse racing. He highlighted the benefits of adopting a plant-based lifestyle and addressed gambling addiction, racism, and the housing crisis, stressing that refugees should not be scapegoated.

While praising the courage of those who attended, Councillors questioned whether Presidential candidates should first seek election at local or national level.

Pictured: Presidential candidate hopeful Diarmaid Mulcahy on his arrival at Galway City Hall on Monday.

Independent Ireland Cllr Declan Kelly noted the leap from comparative anonymity to the highest office in the land, suggesting candidates should “knock on doors, make the case, and deliver on promises” before aspiring to the Presidency.

Fine Gael Cllr Jimmy McClearn stressed that candidates must respect the Council and the process, reminding them that “electing someone as President won’t change the constitution.”

He confirmed that the Fine Gael group would not be supporting any aspiring hopefuls before them at City Hall, as they will back their own candidate, Minister Heather Humphries. “It’s never wise to back two horses in the one race,” he said.

In contrast, Fianna Fáil Cllr Donagh Mark Killilea said there was a preconception that political parties are under a whipping process, and stated they have a free vote on the issue. “We received no direction from Fianna Fáil headquarters on how we could or couldn’t vote,” he said.

This was echoed by party colleague, Cllr Michael Connolly, while Cllr Mary Hoade (FF) accepted the difficulties candidates face with “meetings up and down the country.”

She said that while it was disappointing that so many did not turn up, she criticised the overall process of nominations. Cllr Gerry King (FF) concurred that “making a pitch two weeks out is not right.”

Candidates described the overall process as a logistical nightmare and accepted the high workload of County Councillors.

They said they have tried to engage as best they could without overstepping and have bowed to the different requests from local authorities across the country.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.

Pictured: Presidential hopeful Nick Delehanty on his arrival at Galway City Hall on Monday.  Photos: Joe O'Shaughnessy.