A near four-hour meeting at County Buildings on Tuesday afternoon heard from those who were attempting to win them over, with arguments on housing, abortion, immigration, and international relations.<\/p>\n
In the end 20 councillors voted in favour of not nominating a candidate, with 10 voting against the proposal and two abstentions.<\/p>\n
The move angered Cllr Gerry O\u2019Neill who branded the vote \u201can absolute disgrace\u201d, accusing his council colleagues of having \u201cno backbone in nominating a candidate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Earlier in the day, Cllr O\u2019Neill had backed his fellow independent Cllr Joe Behan\u2019s proposal to nominate barrister Maria Steen as a presidential candidate, despite her not being on the list of candidates that was due to address the local authority.<\/p>\n
Cllr O\u2019Neill also strongly criticised the diktat issued by Fine Gael which instructed its councillors to vote against independent candidates, saying it was \u201cnot fair that Fine Gael councillors were allowed to ask questions during the presentations\u201d.<\/p>\n
His comments came following a presentation from Nick Delehanty, who spoke about his belief that nobody in the race was speaking out for the interests of young people. Mr Delehanty, who gave up a career in corporate law believes we live in an \u201caccountability free democracy where councillor powers have been decimated\u201d.<\/p>\n
Had Cllr Paul O\u2019Brien\u2019s motion not to nominate a candidate failed to pass, Mr Delehanty would have faced off against Ms Steen in a vote, after Mr Delehanty was proposed by Cllr Ian Neary and seconded by Cllr John Snell.<\/p>\n
Cllr Snell criticised how the vote was handled believing Ms Steen should have been asked to present to the chamber if she was being nominated, a sentiment echoed by Cllr Erika Doyle.<\/p>\n
Cllr Stephen Stokes had proposed nominating Lorna McCormack as candidate but received no support.<\/p>\n
Businessmen Peter Casey and Gareth Sheridan were among the high-profile candidates that did not appear on the day. Conor McGregor, who was listed to make a presentation to the council also didn\u2019t show up, a move which seemed to cause relief among some in the chamber.<\/p>\n
In all, 25 candidates contacted Wicklow County Council for their support in securing a nomination to get on the ballot paper, but only 12 candidates appeared in person on the day to pitch their candidacy to the elected members.<\/p>\n
Cathaoirleach Melanie Corrigan had issued a strict condition that all presidential hopefuls needed to attend in person to be considered.<\/p>\n
Dr Cora Stack, a maths lecturer from TU Dublin, spoke about her belief that Ireland should maintain its neutrality and her views about the current state of the Irish legal system. Later, during some animated exchanges, she tried to interrupt proceedings several times by speaking over the chair, and Cllr Corrigan had to ask her to desist.<\/p>\n
Cllr O\u2019Brien branded her presentation as \u201ca farce\u201d and accused her of not taking the role of president seriously enough. She also clashed with Cllr Orla Finn after she singled out Simon Harris as Fine Gael leader for issuing a diktat ahead of the council meeting.<\/p>\n
Cllr Finn found the remarks disconcerting, which Ms Stack took offence to. Before leaving the chamber Ms Stack branded the nominations process a \u201cthreat to public health and safety\u201d.<\/p>\n
Lorna McCormack spoke about her work with the deaf community, and as a fibre artist, and a worker in the wool and textiles industry. She advocated for \u201ckindness and empathy\u201d in politics. Her speech roused very little interest from the councillors.<\/p>\n
Keith McGrory, a businessman in the construction sector from Donegal spoke passionately about the need for housing reform, and about his experiences of growing up during the Troubles and the lifelong injuries his brother sustained because of being caught up in the Omagh bombing.<\/p>\n
He said he wants an inclusive Ireland that is for everyone, no matter their background. Cllr Tom Fortune suggested he may be better suited to running for national or local politics in his effort to bring about change.<\/p>\n
Charlie Keddy is a Kilcoole native who has been contesting \u2013 unsuccessfully \u2013 local and national elections since 1985 when he first ran for Wicklow County Council for the Labour Party. During his speech, he vowed to be a figurehead for the unborn.<\/p>\n
When asked by Cllr O\u2019Brien how he would represent those in LGBTQI+ community, Mr Keddy said he was \u201cIrish by birth and Irish by heart\u201d. \u201cI only entertain one national anthem, one national flag,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
David Parnell, whose well-known ancestors include Charles Stewart Parnell and John Howard Parnell, spoke about his wish to protect Ireland\u2019s heritage and improve safety on public transport.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe sooner our next president signs off a bill passed by D\u00e1il \u00c9ireann and Seanad \u00c9ireann to give security on public transport power of arrest, the better for people travelling on their daily routines,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Diarmuid Mulcahy, a community leader based in Galway and originally from west Kerry, says his lifelong commitment to service, education, and culture has prepared him for the challenges of the presidency.<\/p>\n
\u201cIreland is undergoing massive change, and it\u2019s hugely important how the country will look to redefine itself and where it places itself in the world. It\u2019s important that Ireland and the voice of Uachtar\u00e1n na h\u00c9ireann should be very strong in international fields,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Psychologist Charlotte Keenan said it was time to bring about change and her presidency would be centres on equality fairness and transparency. She pledged to work together for the common good. She acknowledged the need to adapt to meet the changing population and the big challenges that exist to house people. Before leaving the podium, she asked them all to pray for her.<\/p>\n
Abbas, Ali O\u2019Shea became an Irish citizen in 2016. He originally came to Ireland as a refugee, as it was no longer safe for him in his home country of Iraq.<\/p>\n
He outlined his aim of promoting positive integration through community involvement. Cllr Malachai Duddy question Mr O\u2019Shea about running for a seat in the Seanad in 2020, to which he said he gained a lot of experience about the political process when he put himself forward for public office. Meanwhile Cllr Forturne agreed with his rationale to run for president<\/p>\n
Among the other presentations included pitches from Tony Corrigan, a qualified solicitor who said the president should be a voice of sympathy, compassion and understanding for those who have suffered from abuse. Rowena Mulcahcy, a practising lawyer, referenced her knowledge of the constitution as one of the main reasons why she would be well placed to accept a nomination.<\/p>\n
The last to take the podium was Lucy-Anne O\u2019Leary, who arrived late to the chamber having travelled directly from a meeting with councillors in Galway. She expressed her confidence in knowing she has the credentials to lead the country.<\/p>\n
They include a two-decade career in public service and advocacy, in her words, to \u201camplify the voices of the vulnerable\u201d. She says she believes in an Ireland that leaves no-one behind, and her presidency would be a forward-thinking leadership rooted in compassion.<\/p>\n
Following her presentation Cllr Fortune paid tribute to her efforts, calling out the nominations process as being \u201cgrossly unfair.\u201d<\/p>\n
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