- \n
- Two Social Democrats have quit the party, citing Eoin the Hayes controversy. <\/li>\n
- Gareth Sheridan has secured the nomination of a second local authority, with Tipperary County Council voting to endorse him.<\/li>\n
- Fianna F\u00e1il presidential candidate Jim Gavin has been speaking to the media at the National Ploughing Championship in Screggan.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Key Reads<\/b><\/p>\n
Our photographer Dan Dennison is on site in Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly. Here\u2019s a glimpse of what he has captured of the presidential buzz at the Ploughing.<\/p>\n
![\"President](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FV2ZCM52NVHQXPKNOFEENOKN4Q.jpg\")
President of Ireland Michael D Higgins at The National Ploughing Championships at Tullamore, Co Offaly. Photograph: Dan Dennison ![\"Labour](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/XD4VKSXNIRCGHFZEU3SDN6QJ3Q.jpg\")
Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik Presidential candidate and TD for Galway West, Catherine Connolly at the National Ploughing Championships at Tullamore, Co Offaly. Photograph: Dan Dennison ![\"Fianna](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/VUWO3U3AQBHKZFMF66OKMIMFII.jpg\")
Fianna F\u00e1il presidential candidate Jim Gavin holds a press conference at The National Ploughing Championships at Tullamore, Co Offaly. Photograph: Dan Dennison ![\"General](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GJJH6L5M35EUTLORWIUX5B2THI.jpg\")
General view of one of the routes at The National\u00a0Ploughing\u00a0Championships\u00a0at Tullamore, Co Offaly. Photograph: Dan Dennison <\/p>\nEven \u201cMystic Meg\u201d does not know what is happening with Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s process to select a Presidential candidate, T\u00e1naiste Simon Harris has said. Harry McGee<\/b> reports.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the Ploughing Championship in Screggan, Co Offaly, Mr Harris implied that Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s handling of the issue has been \u201ccarefully curated and media managed\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said that the party would disclose its strategy on Saturday \u201cjust in time for the Sunday papers\u201d.<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s Ard Chomhairle will decide on Saturday the identity of its candidate, if it decides to contest the election alone, or announce that the party is supporting Independent candidate, Catherine Connolly, as part of a \u2018united left\u2019 front.<\/p>\n
Mr Harris claimed that irrespective of Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s decision, the Fine Gael candidate, Heather Humphreys, would be better qualified than anyone else to lead a conversation on reconciliation.<\/p>\n
Asked about the revelation that Eoin Hayes, the Social Democrats\u2019 TD Eoin Hayes had used brown make-up to appear like former US President Barack Obama for a fancy dress party in 2009, Mr Harris said Mr Hayes himself had admitted \u201cit was wrong then and is wrong now\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cIt\u2019s also something that was 16 years ago. It\u2019s a matter for the Social Democrats. The man has apologised.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Harris also indicated that the lower VAT rate for food and other hospitality was part of the budgetary projections and he would \u201cmake no apology for wanting to support small businesses in the hospitality sector\u201d.<\/p>\n
He also said that reductions in energy bills had been a practical and tangible policy instrument by the Government to keep energy costs down. \u201cI would like to see that continue,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Asked if RT\u00c9 was late in making the decision not to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel was involved, Mr Harris said when people look back in future on this period they will say that \u201ceverybody acted too late\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe situation is now so appallingly grave that I fully support the decision that RT\u00c9 has taken. \u2026 We need to take economics on a European level that will have a real impact.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gareth Sheridan secures nomination of a second local authority<\/p>\n
Gareth Sheridan has secured the nomination of a second local authority, with Tipperary County Council voting to endorse him.<\/p>\n
He secured the backing of 17 councillors, against three for the only other person who was proposed and seconded, Cllr Kieran McCarthy. There were 16 abstentions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fully aware of the old saying, where Tipperary leads, Ireland follows,\u201d Mr Sheridan told the meeting after being endorsed, promising not to let them down.<\/p>\n
Fine Gael and Fianna F\u00e1il proposed a countermotion prior to the vote seeking that the local authority not nominate anyone, which was defeated by 20 votes to 19.<\/p>\n
The Fine Gael\/Fianna F\u00e1il motion has been defeated by 20 votes to 19, so Tipperary County Council will now seek proposers and seconders.<\/p>\n
Gareth Sheridan has been proposed and seconded.<\/p>\n
Cllr Kieran McCarthy has been proposed and seconded.<\/p>\n
A roll call vote is now underway between the two men for the Tipperary nomination.<\/p>\n
Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael have proposed not nominating a candidate in Tipperary, Jack-Horgan Jones<\/b> reports.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s lots of shouting, which is causing the stream to drop – councillors themselves are complaining they can\u2019t hear proceedings in the chamber, with some now saying they want to speak on the motion not to nominate anyone. There\u2019s lots of noise, and jaunty camera work on the stream. A roll call vote is now underway.<\/p>\n
Galway councillors decline to back any candidate<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s sitting of Galway County Council may have been a missed opportunity for those seeking the county council route to run for the presidency, with several councillors expressing their willingness to back a candidate, if a suitable candidate had been present. Andrew Hamilton<\/b> reports.<\/p>\n
Only five of the 30 candidates who were seeking the support of Galway County Council spoke at this morning\u2019s meeting, with several councillors criticising the candidates who failed to attend, as well as the preparations made by the candidates who did attend.<\/p>\n
The meeting came to an end a few minutes ago, with councillors declining to back any candidate.<\/p>\n
Several Fianna F\u00e1il councillors said that they were willing to support a suitable candidate and that no instructions had come on the matter from party headquarters.<\/p>\n
Senior Fine Gael councillor Jimmy McClearn, criticised the candidates who didn\u2019t attend for \u201cdisrespecting the office\u201d of president.<\/p>\n
He also said that Galway\u2019s Fine Gael councillors had decided not to endorse a non-Fine Gael candidate long before any instruction came from the party headquarters.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose who didn\u2019t come here today are disrespecting the office. The president is the highest office in the land,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI indicated that Fine Gael would not be supporting any candidate other than the Fine Gael candidate. That was long before there was any issue with whipping [the use of the party whip]. Anyone who goes racing knows that you shouldn\u2019t be backing two horses in the same race.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cllr Donagh Killilea was one of a number of Fianna F\u00e1il councillors who said that he would have backed a candidate, if a suitable candidate had been present.<\/p>\n
\u201cFianna F\u00e1il have no whipping process. We got no direction, so this is a free vote,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo think that there were 30 [candidates] who emailed us and only a handful of them showed up today. There is a preconception that Fianna F\u00e1il have to sit on their hands but that is not the case.\u201d<\/p>\n
There was also a heated exchange between candidate Seana Kerr and Independent Cllr Karey McHugh Farag, with McHugh Farag criticising the preparations made by the five candidates present.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy haven\u2019t they tried to canvass any of us considering that this is their chosen route to the presidency?\u201d asked Cllr McHugh Farag.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot one candidate has canvassed me personally. When there is a Seanad election I am inundated with messages from candidates. You are asking us to take a massive risk but we do not know who you are.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are the gatekeepers to that office. That is right, the way it should be. I don\u2019t understand why you haven\u2019t tried to speak to me before this.\u201d<\/p>\n
This prompted a heated response from Ms Kerr, who questioned why Cllr McHugh Farag had not done her own research on the candidates.<\/p>\n
The five presidential hopefuls present at today\u2019s meeting were Aidan Harrington, Seana Kerr, Gearoid Duffy, Lucy Ann O Leary and Gerban Uunk.<\/p>\n
Academic Dolores Cahill addresses Tipperary County Council<\/p>\n
Tipperary County Council has taken a break for lunch.<\/p>\n
The last hopeful candidate who addressed councillors was academic Dolores Cahill.<\/p>\n
Ms Cahill, who claimed children who wore face masks during the Covid-19 pandemic would have a lower IQ, was an anti-vaccination campaigner. She told the meeting she had run a study that showed that there was permanent brain damage to children after 20 minutes, which had been used to stop the use of face masks in children in Dortmund.<\/p>\n
Ms Cahill has been a respected academic in the field of proteomics, which is the large-scale study of proteins. She returned to work in Ireland in 2003 after a period in the prestigious Max Planck Institute in Germany.<\/p>\n
In recent years she had taught a UCD first-year medicine class called Science, Medicine and Society. However, she was moved from her role as a lecturer in 2020.<\/p>\n
![\"Presidential](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/LSIT5MKHXREAVAT6DYJOCQ27EY.JPG\")
Presidential hopeful Dolores Cahill arriving at City Hall.\u00a0 Photograph Nick Bradshaw <\/p>\nShe was a chair of the Irish Freedom Party, she said, but was asked to resign due to her campaigning during the pandemic, including, she said, drawing attention to deaths in care homes. <\/p>\n
She also said that UCD \u201cput proceedings against me\u201d and tried to fire her at the same time. \u201cThat\u2019s when a lot of the criticism around me in the media started,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Ms Cahill said that much of what has been published about her in the media \u201chas not been true\u201d and that she had gone from \u201cbeing described as a distinguished scientist to someone being described in the media as a crank and a tin foil hat\u201d after raising public concerns around the issue of informed consent. <\/p>\n
She said she did so because she felt a \u201clawful and moral duty to warn people of potential dangers\u201d.<\/p>\n
She encouraged councillors to use their power to nominate someone for president, arguing that this would \u201crestore public confidence in the democratic process which has been sadly eroded in recent years\u201d.<\/p>\n
President Michael D Higgins says his counterpart in Israel Yitzhak Herzog misled him on Gaza food delivery <\/p>\n
President Michael D Higgins has said his counterpart in Israel, Yitzhak Herzog, misled him in stating that a consignment of Irish food would be delivered to Gaza, writes Ronan McGreevy<\/b>. <\/p>\n
Speaking at the National Ploughing Championships, Mr Higgins said he sat beside president Herzog at the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV. <\/p>\n
\u201cI said to him there was two consignments of Irish food. He told me they would be delivered within the day,\u201d the President said. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur embassy was contacted. They are today in Amman, Jordan, because words mean nothing.\u201d <\/p>\n
Mr Higgins believed Israel and the countries that support it with armaments should be excluded from the United Nations. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere should be no hesitation any longer in ending trade with people who are inflicting this on our fellow human beings.\u201d <\/p>\n
He added that the European Union cannot call itself a union if it does not take action against Israel, and he accused some of the EU\u2019s larger members of staying silent in the face of a \u201cman-made famine\u201d. <\/p>\n
![\"President](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/TGCKT74VGVGKFGAYYXQIW37LLI.jpg\")
President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins, and his wife Sabina, at The National Ploughing Championships at Tullamore, Co Offaly. Photograph: Dan Dennison <\/p>\nA United Nations commission of inquiry has concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza and that top Israeli officials including prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu had incited these acts.<\/p>\n
The commission cited examples of the scale of the killings, aid blockages, forced displacement and the destruction of a fertility clinic to back up its genocide finding, adding its voice to rights groups and others that have reached the same conclusion. <\/p>\n
Mr Higgins repeated comments he made many times before that it was not anti-Semitic to criticise Israel. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd that\u2019s something that I have to say as well, because I was part of it myself, is the idea that you pile lie upon lie and refer to anyone who is against that genocide as anti-Semitic,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Galway County Council unlikely to support presidential candidate<\/p>\n
Following a robust questions and answers session with the five presidential candidates who spoke at Galway County Council this morning, the meeting has been adjourned for ten minutes to allow councillors to discuss the possibility of backing a candidate. Andrew Hamilton<\/b> reports.<\/p>\n
It now seems unlikely however that the council will support a candidate, with several councillors criticising both the 25 candidates who failed to attend, as well as the preparations made by the five candidates who did attend.<\/p>\n
Several Fianna F\u00e1il councillors said that they were willing to support a suitable candidate and that no instruction had come on the matter from the party head office.<\/p>\n
There was a heated exchange between candidate Seana Kerr and Independent councillor Karey McHugh Farag, with McHugh Farag criticising the preparations made by the five candidates present. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy haven\u2019t they tried to canvass any of us considering that this is their chosen route to the presidency,\u201d asked McHugh Farag.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot one candidate has canvassed me personally. When there is a Seanad election I am inundated with messages from candidates. You are asking us to take a massive risk but we do not know who you are.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are the gatekeepers to that office. That is right, the way it should be. I don\u2019t understand why you haven\u2019t tried to speak to me before this.\u201d<\/p>\n
This prompted a heated response from Ms Kerr, who questioned why Councillor McHugh Farag had not done her own research on the candidates.<\/p>\n
Councillors are expected to announce their decision shortly.<\/p>\n
Two Social Democrats quit party, citing Eoin Hayes controversy<\/p>\n
Two Social Democrats members in Dublin have quit the party in part citing the controversy over Eoin Hayes and his \u201cblackface\u201d incident 16 years ago. Cormac McQuinn<\/b> reports.<\/p>\n
Local election candidate and chairman of the party\u2019s branch in Dublin West, Luke Daly and his partner and party secretary in the constituency Jack O\u2019Reilly have left the party.<\/p>\n
Mr Daly made the announcement in social media posts on Monday night.<\/p>\n
Mr Daly wrote: \u201cAfter tonight\u2019s developments of a Social Democrats TD announcing they participated in black-face, now is as good a time as any to inform folks that both my partner (secretary) and I (chairperson) have terminated our membership with the Social Democrats.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter frank conversations over the past week, I know this to be the right decision for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
It is with great sorrow that I find myself putting something like this together. I will always be a champion of Social Democracy being the cure to our world\u2019s most profoundly corrupted sickness, and it has been a pleasure to row in behind the SocDems for #DublinWest<\/a> #DubW<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/UoSwLvVtrv<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Luke (@LukeDaly___) September 15, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
He said it was an honour to be the party\u2019s \u201cinaugural candidate\u201d in Castleknock and chair of the Dublin West branch \u201cbut I no longer align with its direction\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remain in solidarity with councillors, colleagues and elected representatives around the country whom have shown me kindness and support throughout my time in the party.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey know who they are and I will forever champion them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Daly added: \u201cI have actively supported the Social Democrats since 2020 and while I am disappointed by these developments, I wish them all the best in their future endeavors.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Daly told The Irish Times he made his decision to leave the party before Mr Hayes\u2019 statement on Monday night.<\/p>\n
He said he remains \u201cinspired\u201d by the leadership of Holly Cairns and the \u201ctireless\u201d work of various party colleagues.<\/p>\n
However, he said: \u201cIn discussions with HQ, I highlighted the need for stronger support for branches\u201d and he \u201calso raised concerns about Deputy Hayes\u2019 suspension and return, though I respect the accountability he has shown and the work he has done for the party.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr O\u2019Reilly said he echoed Mr Daly\u2019s sentiments and he also praised Ms Cairns and other former party colleagues.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI am not a politician, I have no desire to be an elected representative at this stage, I got involved to support my partner at the time and fell in love with Social Democracy and wanted to help out on the ground and support the party in whatever way I could because I believed in the core system.\u201d<\/p>\n
Heather Humphreys says Orange Order event in Monaghan is a picnic not a parade<\/p>\n
Fine Gael presidential candidate Heather Humphreys has said the annual Orange Order event held in the County Monaghan village of Drum each year was a picnic and not a parade.<\/p>\n
Ms Humphreys has been responding to questions about her family\u2019s connections with the Orange Order during her visit to the National Ploughing Championship in Screggan, Co Offaly. Newspapers reports over the weekend suggested that she had attended Orange \u2018parades\u2019 in Co Monaghan as recently as 2014.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe event in Drum is, is an Orange parade. Just to be very clear, the event in Drum is called Drum Picnic,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She said that people from across the community and from both sides of the border went to it.<\/p>\n
\u201cA Sinn F\u00e9in councillor came to it. (Former Fianna F\u00e1il TD) Eamon \u00d3 Cu\u00edv came to it back in 2009. People were absolutely delighted to see him there, and acknowledged how important it was that he did come, him being the grandson of Eamonn de Valera\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is about bringing people together. If we\u2019re ever going to get anywhere, we need to bring people together. We need to have that understanding. And I\u2019ve spent my life trying to bring people together, to break down those barriers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose preconceived notions, they have to be stopped, and we need to talk to each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the last time she was there was probably 2015 but said she would attend if she was free as it was a lovely evening.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe same bands that play at the picnic at Drum also play at the St Patrick\u2019s Day event in Cootehill and in Monaghan.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked about her not having learned Irish after committing to do so in 2014, she said she went to the Gaeltacht for a week in 2017. \u201cIt was coming back to me. I do try to use as much Irish as I can. I think it is confidence, probably like most people. You\u2019re afraid you\u2019re going to say the wrong thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said that she was committed to go back to the Gaeltacht and brush up her Irish, so she could speak and understand it better.<\/p>\n
She said that she became Minister for Business in 2017 and with Brexit happening, it became very busy.<\/p>\n
![\"Presidential](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/P7UZNGY67YWC4C5O5OZBIZV5YQ.jpg\")
Presidential candidate Heather Humphreys (centre) speaks to media at the National Ploughing Championship at Tullamore, Co Offaly. Photograph: Grainne Ni Aodha<\/p>\n![\"Catherine](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/73BLUG6XORCPVOJUTYXX2MWLQM.JPG\")
Catherine Connolly shakes hands with Sabina Higgins as the President’s entourage made its way to the horse ploughing.\u00a0Photograph: Ronan McGreevy Jim Gavin fields media questions at the Ploughing<\/p>\nFianna F\u00e1il presidential candidate Jim Gavin has been speaking to the media at the National Ploughing Championship in Screggan, Co Offaly. Harry McGee<\/b> reports.<\/p>\n
Making his first visit to the festival in 25 years, Gavin has responded to some of the issues that have arisen during his campaign. <\/p>\n
Gavin has emphasised his family\u2019s Fianna F\u00e1il heritage in the face of questions that he had been approached by Fine Gael. <\/p>\n
\u201cMy mum and dad came from west Clare. It\u2019s a staunch Fianna F\u00e1il part of the country, and I\u2019m very proud to represent Fianna F\u00e1il.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked about being approached by Fine Gael to stand as a candidate, he said: \u201cI can\u2019t control that, but what I can control is how I respond to that. I was respectful and I politely declined,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Asked again his view on Gaza he said he was very clear that genocide was happening. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe Israeli government is conducting war crimes. The fighting needs to stop today. We need to get aid today to the people of Gaza.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked about the \u2018triple lock\u2019 he said he had a personal opinion but he was very conscious that it was a broader issue and that as president, he would be required to be non-partisan. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou have no political influence on the policies of the day,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Asked about the main theme of his campaign, he said he would speak about his vision for the presidency at the official launch next week. <\/p>\n
He said he was very proud of his Irish but was not as confident as he used to be in the language. <\/p>\n
When it was put to him that there was a sense that Fine Gael and Fianna F\u00e1il did not relate to young people, he said: \u201cI\u2019m a young man. I can relate to young people.\u201d <\/p>\n
He said he was proud to have met the disability campaigner Cara Darmody earlier that day. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m personally proud of them. I like seeing their ambition for Ireland, their ingenuity, their vision of what Ireland can be. And that\u2019s where my focus is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taoiseach welcomes UN report finding that genocide is taking place in Gaza<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach welcomed the UN report that found a genocide was taking place in Gaza, Pat Leahy<\/b> reports from Fianna F\u00e1il\u2019s think-in.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a very serious report … this is a very definitive and significant report. We await the findings of the International Court of Justice case which South Africa filed and we intervened on that case,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut that report is saying four of the five criteria [for genocide] have been met in respect of Israel\u2019s behaviour in Gaza. And we all are witnessing it now at the moment, every residential tower is being destroyed. That report says 90 per cent of all housing, it\u2019s been destroyed. Education facilities have been destroyed, healthcare facilities … so it\u2019s very, very clear from that report that a genocide is taking place. <\/p>\n
\u201cIn my view, United States and Europe and the wider world have to increase the pressure on Israel to stop this carnage and stop the slaughter of innocent civilians, and get a massive surge of aid into Gaza, and yes the hostages should be released by Hamas, without condition at this stage. Release the hostages, and let\u2019s bring an end to this carnage.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the budget Mr Martin said again there would be no universal cost-of-living package, but he said:<\/p>\n
\u201cI think what we can do is through various income supports, support people in terms of budgetary measures to sort of help them to cope with the cost of living, particularly with the cost of groceries, which are increasing.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t do artificial sort of food subsidies or stuff like that that won\u2019t sustain in the long term. But what we can do is to try and help people, particularly the low-income groups, and those who would suffer the most, would depend on groceries, or food, for their kids and families. We would certainly want to see, can we help them come through this period.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tipperary County Council hustings latest<\/p>\n
Peter Casey has written to Tipperary county councillors saying he is not attending the meeting today, Jack Horgan-Jones<\/b> reports.<\/p>\n
Professor Doctor Josephe Chikelue Obi is also not present \u2013 not yet, anyway. The council is taking a ten-minute break, and we\u2019ll see then if they\u2019ve managed to rustle up any more potential candidates to hear from.<\/p>\n
Taoiseach says \u2018up to 20 names\u2019 were raised as Fianna F\u00e1il presidential runners<\/p>\n
Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin has revealed that \u201cup to 20 names\u201d <\/a>were mentioned as potential presidential candidates for the Fianna F\u00e1il party.<\/p>\n
The party\u2019s presidential candidate, Jim Gavin, has the experience required to be president and would be active in the role, Mr Martin said.<\/p>\n
Speaking on RT\u00c9 Radio\u2019s Morning Ireland, Mr Martin said \u201cpeople came to us and suggested him [Mr Gavin]. We then met him and engaged with him.<\/p>\n
\u201cJim gave it great thought, as is his wont. I mean he didn\u2019t rush into this. He is a person of considerable substance, experience,\u201d Mr Martin said.<\/p>\n
![\"Fianna](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/F6SO2HSJZVGK3CEFALDLBBIUMQ.jpg\")
Fianna F\u00e1il presidential candidate Jim Gavin meets campaigner Cara Darmody (15) at The National Ploughing Championships at Tullamore, Co Offaly. Photograph: Dan Dennison Presidential candidates take on the ploughing<\/p>\nMeanwhile, presidential candidates have made it to the National Ploughing Championships<\/a> in Co Offaly as they canvass ahead of the election.<\/p>\n
Fine Gael\u2019s Heather Humphreys and Independent candidate Catherine Connolly both shared images from the Screggan site on their social media this morning.<\/p>\n
Five of 30 registered applicants show at Galway County Council presidential hustings<\/p>\n
Only five of the 30 registered applicants who are seeking the support of Galway County Council are understood to be present this morning ahead of the presidential hustings, Andrew Hamilton<\/b> reports.<\/p>\n
The meeting has just opened with a near full house of councillors in attendance, both in person and online.<\/p>\n
Unlike six of the local authorities who held meetings yesterday, Galway County Council, may endorse a candidate, with a number of Fianna F\u00e1il councillors indicating that they will back someone to run as president.<\/p>\n
The local authority first heard from Aidan Harrington, who says that the president should be given the power to introduce legislation and form think tanks. <\/p>\n
\u201cI want to take power away from the D\u00e1il and transfer some of this power to the county council and the people of Ireland,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u2018Blackface\u2019 controversy dominates Social Democrats think-in<\/p>\n
Cormac McQuinn<\/b> brings us the latest from the Social Democrats think-in, which was dominated this morning by the controversy over Eoin Hayes.<\/p>\n
Party leader Holly Cairns has had to deal with the storm over Dublin Bay South TD Mr Hayes as she returns from maternity leave.<\/p>\n
Asked if Mr Hayes will face any disciplinary action and whether he could be suspended from the parliamentary party Ms Cairns said: \u201cIf this situation had arisen last week, or even last year, he would no longer be a Social Democrats TD.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiving consideration to the fact that this was 16 years ago. He was president of the Students Union at the time, I think that gives context to the situation. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe himself has said it is never okay, that he should have known better but he didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pressed on whether he will face any disciplinary actions or sanctions she said: \u201cGiven that the situation was 16 years ago, I think we need to discuss the situation. You know, we haven\u2019t a chance to meet yet, but in that context, no.\u201d<\/p>\n
Earlier she said: \u201cthere is no circumstances where blackface is okay.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is racist, and I want to make that very clear.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cI\u2019m glad that Deputy Hayes has acknowledged that, that he didn\u2019t understand the implications, how hurtful it was at the time, but he understands that now, and has issued an unreserved apology in relation to that.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is disappointing, and I would prefer for the focus for the party today to be on all of those important issues that we\u2019re focusing on the new D\u00e1il term.\u201d <\/p>\n
Blackface is a historical practice that is seen as racist and considered deeply offensive. It commonly refers to when a person, typically with white skin, paints their face darker to resemble a black person and dates back to a time when black people were mocked for the entertainment of white people promoting negative stereotypes.<\/p>\n
Holly Cairns signals there will be no sanctions for Eoin Hayes\u2019 \u2018blackface\u2019 Obama costume<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Cormac McQuinn<\/b> reports from the Social Democrats think-in in Dublin. <\/p>\n
Eoin Hayes is set to stay in the Social Democrats parliamentary party as Holly Cairns signalled there will be no sanctions for his \u2018blackface\u2019 Obama costume. She stopped short of saying she forgives him and said he will have to work to regain trust.<\/p>\n
![\"Social](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/LTLA3WO4NFEYJBRYI66MB7BA2M.jpg\")
Social Democrats party leader Holly Cairns and members of the Social Democrats speak to media at their pre-D\u00e1il think-in, at the Irish Architectural Archive, Merrion Square, Dublin.
\nPhotograph: Dara Mac D\u00f3naill <\/p>\n\u2018The Social Democrats do tend to lecture everybody else\u2019: Taoiseach on Eoin Hayes controversy<\/p>\n
Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin has declined to add to the pressure on Social Democrats TD Eoin Hayes, noting the \u201cblackface\u201d Halloween costume controversy issue occurring when he was a student, Pat Leahy<\/b> reports.<\/p>\n
Asked about the issue at his party\u2019s think-in in Cork, Mr Martin said: \u201cThe Social Democrats do tend to lecture everybody else in terms of proper behaviour, so it\u2019s somewhat unfortunate for them to end up in this sort of controversy at their parliamentary think-in. He did, he has apologised in full simply for this. It was during his student days, so I think …that\u2019s what the issue rests now.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Tipperary, they\u2019re allocating 15 minutes per candidate and 24 have expressed an interest \u2013 with 11 having confirmed their attendance at today\u2019s meeting.<\/p>\n
In terms of the higher profile presidential hopefuls, Peter Casey will be up at around 11.30am. There was no response to the council\u2019s request to confirm attendance from Nick Delahanty, nor, for that matter, the wheelbarrow candidate Barry Wheely-Row.<\/p>\n
Now, will anyone be nominated? Bear with us, this gets a little complicated.<\/p>\n
After the presentations, the council will consider whether to nominate any candidate \u2013 for which a proposer and a seconder will be needed.<\/p>\n
If such can be found, there can be a counterproposal not to nominate a candidate, and the councillors will vote on it.<\/p>\n
If the council decides to nominate, candidates will then need a proposer and seconder. If only one person gets proposed and seconded, they will be nominated as the candidate.<\/p>\n
If more than one gets a proposer and seconder, then there will be a roll call vote, with the winner being nominated as the candidate.<\/p>\n
Gareth Sheridan says a younger president could be \u2018not just a voice but an ear\u2019<\/p>\n
We\u2019ll be keeping you in the loop today with the latest updates from a number of councils across the country which are hearing from potential presidential candidates.<\/p>\n
Jack Horgan-Jones<\/b> brings us this report from Tipperary County Council\u2019s meeting this morning:<\/p>\n
We\u2019re under way in Nenagh as Tipperary County councillors meet with those hoping to secure support for their presidential tilt.<\/p>\n
First out of the traps was businessman Gareth Sheridan, who has already one nomination in his back pocket, from Kerry County Council.<\/p>\n
Mr Sheridan majored housing, a cornerstone of his campaign, and was asked what the president could do to address the crisis given the lack of executive powers attached to the post.<\/p>\n
Citing the Constitution, he argued that Article 45.2.1 would allow him to lead a conversation, to create a \u201cpressure point\u201d around housing focusing on solutions. He said the housing crisis was \u201cbreaking the social contract with our younger generations\u201d.<\/p>\n
Asked about his abilities in the Irish language, he said he is \u201crelearning\u201d and that he wouldn\u2019t say he is \u201cdebate-ready\u201d but he put a \u201chuge emphasis\u201d on the language and was encouraged to see a \u201cresurgence in passion\u201d for it.<\/p>\n
He spoke about his business background \u2013 and pointed out that the lack of political experience had not prevented Fianna F\u00e1il from putting former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin forward.<\/p>\n
Mr Sheridan said he was in favour of Irish unity and a referendum by 2030. He said the war in Gaza was a genocide and he supported the Occupied Territories Bill, and that he supported the \u2018triple lock\u2019 and neutrality. He supports the public ownership of water services and a referendum to enshrine that in the Constitution. He also supports a right to housing and that it should be enshrined in the Constitution.<\/p>\n
Asked why he wouldn\u2019t run for the D\u00e1il, Mr Sheridan said a younger president could be \u201cnot just a voice but an ear\u201d for younger people, encouraging them to enter politics.<\/p>\n
\u2018I\u2019m hugely disappointed\u2019: Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns responds<\/p>\n
Party leader Holly Cairns is due to speak to the media in Dublin at the party\u2019s annual think-in this morning. <\/p>\n
Speaking on RT\u00c9 Radio\u2019s Morning Ireland today, Ms Cairns said that if the incident had happened \u201clast week or even last year, he would no longer be a Social Democrats TD\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no way to sugarcoat it. I\u2019m hugely disappointed and annoyed about this situation,\u201d said Ms Cairns.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn my first day back, there are so many issues that me and the party would prefer to be focusing on. Instead, we\u2019re talking about this, and so at the outset, I just want to be clear that blackface is a form of racism, and in the Social Democrats, we abhor all kinds of racism.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said Mr Hayes would not be attending her party\u2019s think-in in Dublin today, but would remain a party member.<\/a><\/p>\n
Eoin Hayes controversy <\/p>\n
Dublin Bay South TD Eoin Hayes has found himself at the centre of another controversy, just as Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns returns from maternity leave.<\/p>\n
Ms Cairns has said that Mr Hayes, who wore brown make-up on his face and hands while dressed up as Barack Obama for a Halloween party, will remain a party member.<\/p>\n