Gareth Sheridan living on a prayer as he’s halfway to Áras ballot paper
Sheridan edges closer to Áras after a Tipperary council nomination, keeping his presidential dream alive.
Businessman Gareth Sheridan has received his second local authority nomination in the Presidential race, after Tipperary County Council today voted to back his candidacy.
The 35-year-old entrepreneur is now just two council nominations away from securing a place on the ballot for the October 24th election, following a nomination from the Kerry County council yesterday.
Speaking to councillors in Tipperary, Mr Sheridan urged them not to dismiss his bid as “youthful arrogance”, pointing to his business track record and “exceptional life experience” in floating a company on a US stock exchange.
Councillors heard from 12 prospective candidates at the special meeting before voting. Members ultimately agreed to put Sheridan forward.
Mr Sheridan said he hoped to inspire and position himself as a leadership figure, while also voicing support for Merchants Quay and their work in addiction services. Asked if he believed events in Gaza amounted to genocide, he replied “yes”, adding that he backed the Occupied Territories Bill.
The decision in Tipperary comes as a number of other local authorities, including Dublin, Cork and Galway city councils, along with Laois, Roscommon and Longford, have opted not to nominate any candidate.
The contest to succeed President Michael D. Higgins is heating up as hopefuls continue to seek backing from councils and Oireachtas members in the coming weeks.