Today is a significant day for prospective candidates in the Irish presidential election as the deadline nears to enter the race.
Businessman Gareth Sheridan has received nominations from Kerry and Tipperary county councils. He needs nominations from two more to secure a place on the ballot. He was due to appear at Meath, Louth and Offaly councils today, and has already failed to get a nomination from Meath council.
Barrister Maria Steen is seeking the support of Oireachtas members to get on the ballot. Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, who has been attempting to marshall support for Ms Steen’s candidacy, said he expected there would be up to 18 ready to sign her nomination papers on Monday. She needs 20.
Key ReadsMaria Steen’s difficult route to a nomination
Conservative campaigner Maria Steen faces an uphill battle to get on the slate. She meets the four members of Independent Ireland later this evening seeking their support for an Oireachtas nomination.
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín says that, already, 13 TDs and Senators have backed Steen, although several have not been named. With the support of the four TDs from the Dáil’s newest party, that would bring her total to 17, just three short of the 20 that would be required.
But it’s a difficult bar to reach. David Norris found out that to his cost in 2011 when he could only get to 18 before he went elsewhere and sought nominations from local authorities.
Steen getting over the line would require one or more of the Senators aligned with Michael McDowell to do a volte face, or for some other Independents who have said no to change their minds. Or for a Fianna Fáil representative to face the wrath of the parliamentary party by signing the nomination papers. All tough nuts to crack.
The county council route is even harder for her. Steen’s main problem is that she entered the race so late, not giving her enough time to make contact with councillors and to cultivate support regionally.
She is a very proficient speaker and debater but a five-minute presentation will never be enough.
Watch out for Leitrim though. The council is one of the smallest in the State with 18 members and already five (two Fianna Fáil and three Independents) have pledged support for her. With one or two more, and some abstentions, she could get her first local authority endorsement today. The difficulty is: where can she find the other three only two days before the final deadline for nominations?
Where does this leave Gareth Sheridan?
It’s not going to be a smooth day for the businessman (36). From the start, his team has targeted a number of councils with a high number of Independent members.
However, it was also relying on the support (albeit tacit) of Fianna Fáil councillors, even if they were to abstain.
In past presidential elections, Fianna Fáil representatives have shown an independent cast of mind and have not regarded themselves as subject to a party whip.
But this time it is different. Even though there is no formal instruction to councillors, they have acted consistently across councils and have, with Fine Gael, blocked the nominations of Independents.
They did so in Kerry, Meath, Carlow and Tipperary so far and it is expected that many of the other 12 councils today will follow suit.
Sheridan’s prospects have now narrowed to touch-and-go. If he does not get the backing of Offaly (its meeting starts at 2pm), it will be all but game over for him.
Was his strategy from last February to focus in on councils with a high number of Independents a wise one? It has meant he has not addressed many others that could potentially have backed him.
That said, the change of mood music from Fianna Fáil councillors has been the most significant factor.
If he does succeed in persuading councillors in Offaly to back him, there will be enormous pressure on Louth County Council to follow suit later this evening and gave him the fourth vital nomination that he requires.
It will be close.
Facebook removes posts about Jim Gavin that violated standards
Fianna Fáil has written to three social media companies to complain about a number of social media posts about its presidential candidate Jim Gavin.
The party is very concerned about the proliferation of false posts about its candidate being spread online. Jack Horgan Jones reported on this development this morning.
Pat Leahy has an update. He writes:
Fianna Fáil has confirmed that of the three social media companies – Meta (which owns Facebook and Instagram), X and TikTok – only Meta has responded to complaints about false and damaging information about presidential candidate Jim Gavin being posted on its platform.
Meta has removed a number of posts, it said. However, there is still no response from either X or TikTok, despite requests from Fianna Fáil. The party said it had not yet received a response from Coimisiún na Meán, the media regulator, either.
Gareth Sheridan narrowly fails to win backing of Meath County Council for presidential nomination
Businessman Gareth Sheridan has received a significant setback to his efforts to gain a presidential nomination after Meath County Council voted by 14 votes to 13 to reject his nomination.
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael councillors all voted against his nomination while Sinn Féin members abstained. There were eight abstentions.
Mr Sheridan will now pin his hopes on nominations from Offaly and Louth County Councils later today.
Gareth Sheridan was the last of the presidential hopefuls to address the Meath County Council live. The rest are making submissions online. There was a glitch with Sarah Louise Mulligan who could not address the council as not visible on screen. Follow live on @IrishTimes pic.twitter.com/8DsjuEWt2x
— Harry McGee (@harrymcgee) September 22, 2025
Gareth Sheridan now speaking to councillors
The businessman Gareth Sheridan has addressed Meath County Council setting out his vision for his presidency, saying he would represent the younger demographic, particularly those with no opportunity of owning their own home.
He is now being quizzed by councillors including Cllr John Duffy who asks him why he is willing to abandon his business. “It is just the right time in history for a younger candidate to, at least, offer,” he has replied.
Cllr Nick Killian is asking him if he will step aside from his business if elected or will he return to the US?
He replies that Ireland is home and he does not have any ambition to relocate.
Gareth Sheridan’s path to presidency
Gareth Sheridan obtained two nominations last week, one from Kerry County Council and the other from Tipperary County Council.
His campaign received a setback later in the week when he failed to secure a nomination from Carlow County Council.
There are 12 councils hosting special meetings today: Meath; Monaghan; Sligo; Leitrim; Offaly; Clare; Cork County; Kildare; Westmeath; Kilkenny; Limerick; and Louth.
Of those Sheridan is focusing on three: Meath (which is going on at present); Offaly (which meets at 2pm) and Louth, which meets later in the afternoon.
The businessman will soon address Meath County Council. However, he may not get the opportunity to do so in Louth as his documentation was not submitted on time.
Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil voted against nomination of a candidate but were defeated by a combination of Independents and members of smaller parties. Sinn Féin councillors abstained.
As of now, it looks like he will be the only person who is nominated and seconded by a councillor. The preliminary vote has heightened his chances of securing a third nomination.
Good morning, it’s Harry McGee, with live reporting of a critical day for prospective presidential candidates.
Meath County Council is currently meeting to decide if it will endorse a nomination.
Before any candidates were afforded the opportunity to speak to the council, it voted a short while ago on a Fine Gael motion not to nominate any candidate.
The council voted against the motion by 11 votes to eight, which means that entrepreneur Gareth Sheridan has passed the first hurdle and his chances of getting a nomination have increased. The candidates will now have an opportunity to address the council.
Seventeen presidential hopefuls are slated to talk to Meath County Council after the council rejected a Fine Gael motion not to allow any nomination. Charlotte Keenan currently addressing the chamber. Follow our coverage live on @IrishTimes pic.twitter.com/xKrEWmB4Jo
— Harry McGee (@harrymcgee) September 22, 2025