Tipperary Council weighs presidential nomination as hopefuls pitch

Pharma entrepreneur Gareth Sheridan seen as frontrunner, but party blocs may block his path

Tipperary County Council will decide today whether to nominate a candidate for next month’s presidential election. 12 hopefuls will make their case at a special meeting of the local authority today in Nenagh.

The council received 28 expressions of interest, including four late submissions accepted after last Friday’s deadline. One candidate only completed their documentation yesterday but will still present.

Seven applicants, including 2018 candidate Peter Casey, confirmed they wanted to be considered but will not attend as required, making a nomination unlikely. Nine others failed to provide the necessary documentation, among them Barry “Wheelie” Rowell – the Kerry Wheelbarrow, Conor McGregor, and Clonmel native Nick Delahanty, who is addressing other councils but not his own.

First to speak today will be 36-year-old pharmaceutical entrepreneur Gareth Sheridan, considered the frontrunner if a nomination emerges. He is expected to be proposed by Liam Browne and seconded by Seamie Morris. However, the outcome may hinge on the stance of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, who hold half the council seats between them.

Fine Gael’s Tipperary whip Willie Kennedy confirmed he won’t impose a whip, though councillors may still decide against nominating anyone. Fianna Fáil has received no directive from headquarters but could also move to block Sheridan.

Littleton councillor Sean Ryan said Sheridan would get a fair hearing: “Looking forward to hear what Gareth has to say he’s been quite a successful businessman and he has rang good few of the Councillors. I spoke to Gareth myself a couple of weeks ago and I’d be interested to hear what he has to say.”

If Sheridan is proposed and seconded, and no other names or motions are put forward, he will proceed without a vote. If it comes to a ballot, however, his path may be less certain.