Four of the people who have put themselves forward to run in the upcoming Presidential election will address Laois County Council next Monday.
Seán Gallagher, Peter Casey, John Groarke and Marie Goretti Moylan have signalled that they will make presentations to Cllrs in the chamber.
LaoisToday understands that the Fianna Fail block of Cllrs, made up of Paschal McEvoy, Padraig Fleming, Catherine Fitzgerald, Pauline Madigan, John Joe Fennelly, Paddy Bracken and Seamus McDonald, will seek to nominate Sean Gallagher.
The news of who would be coming to Laois emerged this morning at the monthly council meeting.
Members were informed of the four but fears were expressed by some Cllrs that by the time that meeting would come around, many of the candidates may already have achieved the backing of four local authorities.
This would mean that they would have secured a nomination and no longer need the back of Laois County Council.
Sean Gallagher was previously a Dragon’s Den judge and also ran in the 2011 Presidential Election where he finished second to Michael D. Higgins, who is running now for a second term.
Derry native Peter Casey, who is probably best known for his role on RTÉ’s Dragon’s Den series, is the founder and chief executive officer of the global recruitment business Claddagh Resources.
The firm, which was set up in Atlanta in the US in 1995, operates from five locations worldwide and its European base is located outside Buncrana, Co Donegal. He has previously had business interests in Australia and Ireland.
Roscommon farmer John Groarke is the most unlikely of candidates and says he has entered the race because ‘You never see ordinary Joe Soaps getting into high office’.
While former civil servant Marie Goretti Moylan from Athlone will be the fourth candidate to make a representation.
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