GAVIN DUFFY has secured his place as a candidate in the Irish presidential race after securing the support of four local authorities.
The businessman received the backing of Waterford Council today, along with local authorities in Meath, Carlow and Wicklow.
Duffy joins current president Michael D. Higgins, fellow Dragons’ Den personality Sean Gallagher and psychologist and independent politician Joan Freeman as the official candidates for the presidency.
Journalist Gemma O’Doherty was also backed by two councillors today but received one abstention, which means she hasn’t secured her candidacy.
There were also a number of council members absent from the vote in Dungarvan today.
She joins Peter Casey, William Delaney 1957-1970, Patrick Feeney, John Groarke, Patrick Melly, Marie Goretti Moylan, Sarah Louise Mulligan, Kevin Sharkey and James Smyth in seeking endorsements.
Speaking to RTE after securing his nomination, Duffy said he was "looking forward to now going out and being able to state my case to the people to go forth and be elected President of Ireland."
Gavin Duffy says he is looking forward to being able to state his case to the people of Ireland in the Presidential Election pic.twitter.com/cMebgscH4Z
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) September 14, 2018
Michael D Higgins is hoping to secure a second term, despite claiming during his first campaign that he would only run once.
Also, Sinn Féin are expected to contest the election with a candidate that has not yet been named.
They are expected to announce a candidate this weekend.
Party spokesperson David Cullinane has recently rejected claims that the party's plan to nominate a candidate just six weeks prior to the expected election date was in a bid to avoid prolonged media scrutiny of their candidate.
The presidential election will be held on Friday 26 October.
