Presidential hopefuls make their pitches to council
Westmeath councillors will decide next week whether they will nominate a candidate to contest the upcoming presidential election.
A total of 11 independent hopefuls addressed elected members on Monday in an attempt to win over the council and secure a spot on the ballot paper for October 24.
Catherine Morrissey Smith, Nick Delehanty, David Parnell, Gearóid Duffy, Keith McGrory, Peter Casey, Charlotte Keenan, Walter Ryan Purcell, Aodhán Ó hArrachtáin, Dolores Cahill, and Diarmuid Mulcahy, were each given five minutes to state their cases, followed by 10 minutes each for questions.
Kilkenny native, and inventor on an OCD drug patent, Catherine Morrissey was the first to speak. “Politically neutral” and passionate about solving issues in education, healthcare and particularly homelessness, she hopes to become “the people’s president”.
“It starts with people and ends with people and I will work collegially and collaboratively with the government to ensure that the constitution is maintained and sustained for the best benefits of all the people of Ireland,” she said.
Tipperary’s Nick Delehanty, is a former lawyer living in Ringsend, who hopes to become the youngest candidate on the ballot at age 35, and wants to champion young people and “fidelity to the nation”.
“The fortunes of the Irish people should not be down to the fortunes of one political party or coalition – that is why I believe the next president of Ireland must embody fidelity to the nation,” he said.
David Parnell, whose well-known ancestors include Charles Stewart Parnell and John Howard Parnell, says he wants to protect Ireland’s heritage and improve safety on public transport.
“The sooner our next president signs off a bill passed by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann to give security on public transport power of arrest, the better for people travelling on their daily routines,” he said.
Gearóid Duffy, a 61-year-old Cork-based public servant, says he is running as an independent to “reintroduce the concept of human rights into the political landscape both here in Ireland and abroad”.
He also hopes to “help make Ireland once again a reference point in the world for those who seek peace through peaceful means” and is concerned about “the integrity of the democratic process”.
Keith McGrory from Donegal, is an entrepreneur and construction expert, and says housing, peace and unity would be at the heart of his presidency.
“One of the most urgent issues Ireland faces today is housing, and I feel I’m the right man at the right time. We cannot continue down the road where young families are saddled with debt for 30 years, leaving them unable to enjoy life,” he said.
Derry businessman Peter Casey, who describes himself as a “compassionate capitalist”, says he wants to empower county councils and use the underutilised powers of the presidency.
“My vision would be to transfer the power of the presidency to the county councils. Every time there would be questions as to whether legislation should get referred for constitutionality, a judgement, or whether a pardon should be given, the 949 councillors around Ireland would all be given the vote,” he said.
Westmeath artist, Catherine Keegan, says she would campaign for peace at home and abroad, supporting both a referendum on Irish unity and solidarity with Palestine.
“I would be at the forefront of looking for a referendum for a united Ireland. Regarding Palestine, I firmly support the people who are enduring unimaginable hardships. It’s essential to offer refuge and assistance to those fleeing war-torn countries. We cannot stand idly by while innocent lives are being lost to conflict,” she said.
Walter Ryan Purcell, a 61-year-old businessman and agricultural science graduate, says he wants to be a “working president” focused on housing, neutrality and peace.
“I intend to be a president with purpose, a president with solutions, a president with vision, very much a working president. In January of last year I emailed the Department of Foreign Affairs in Israel and offered to mediate between Israel and Hamas. I’m a born mediator and just wanted to do my bit,” he said.
Aodhán Ó hArrachtáin, a bus driver from Meath, says he wants to decentralise power to the four provinces and be a voice for ordinary citizens like those he meets daily while driving a bus – particularly when it comes to mental health services.
“I want to take power away from the Dáil and transfer some of that power to the county councils and to the people of Ireland. Part of my reason to run is to break the stigma around mental health and be an ambassador for all people with mental health issues,” he added.
Former university professor from Tipperary, Dolores Cahill, says her vision is to “bring vibrancy, tourism and enterprise back to Ireland, especially rural Ireland, while putting the people of Ireland first”.
She added that she would have “the courage to lead in what may be challenging times ahead, regardless of the personal consequences”.
Diarmuid Mulcahy, a Galway-based community leader originally from west Kerry, says his lifelong commitment to service, education, and culture has prepared him for the challenges of the presidency.
“Ireland is undergoing massive change, and it’s hugely important how the country will look to redefine itself and where it places itself in the world. It’s really important that Ireland and the voice of Uachtarán na hÉireann should be very strong in international fields,” he said.
To get their names on the ballot paper in October, candidate have to be nominated by at least four local authorities or 20 members of the Oireachtas.
Elected members of Westmeath County Council will reconvene next week when a decision will be made on who they will nominate to run.