Cavan becomes fifth council to back Gallagher for presidency

Cavan County Council has become the fifth local authority to endorse Cavan man Sean Gallagher to contest the Presidential Election.

Local authority members voted in the past few minutes with Fianna Fáil councillors all giving their backing to the Ballyhaise man. In a show of hands, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin members abstained from the vote, with the latter party due to announce their own candidate on September 16.

While Fianna Fáil Cllr John Paul Feeley proposed the motion to sanction Gallagher as a candidate, the endorsement came as a bonus given that the Dragon had earlier secured the backing of four local authorities to formally make it on to the ballot paper.

He got the nod today from local authorities in Leitrim, Roscommon, Mayo and Wexford - becoming the first candidate to get the necessary seal of approval from four councils in the current campaign.

Westmeath Council also heard from Mr Gallagher today but will not vote on a candidate until September 17.

Meanwhile, Independent Senator Joan Freeman is just one council shy of joining Gallagher on the ballot paper next month. The Pieta House founder has secured the backing of three councils having been endorsed by Fingal and Galway County councils today and Cork City Council earlier this month.

Businessman Gavin Duffy was backed by Carlow County Council at its meeting this afternoon. He has two endorsements as he was supported by Meath County Council last week.

At least nine local authorities are meeting today as candidates intensify their quests to get nominated to stand in the election on October 26.

Presidential election hopefuls need to secure the support of four local authorities or 20 TDs and senators to stand in the election.

Each local authority can only endorse one candidate.