Urgent Update: Presidential Hopefuls Race for Nominations Today

UPDATE: Today marks a crucial turning point for presidential hopefuls as local authorities convene to finalize nominations. Candidates are scrambling to secure their spots on the ballot ahead of the September 24, 2025 deadline.

Gareth Sheridan, a millionaire contender, is one of the few candidates to have gained support, securing endorsements from Kerry and Tipperary Councils. His fate hinges on today’s meetings with Meath, Offaly, and Louth County Councils. Only Kieran McCarthy, former mayor of Cork, has also received backing, with Waterford City Council nominating him last Friday.

As local councils like Monaghan, Cork, and Limerick deliberate today, the stakes are high. The nomination process requires candidates to receive support from four councils or from 20 TDs or Senators. Maria Steen is also vying for nominations, facing Leitrim County Council today after presenting to councillors last week.

If Steen fails to secure enough council support, she may still turn to Oireachtas members for a nomination. Last week, she gained the endorsement of junior minister Michael Healy Rae, increasing her backing to over 10 members. Today, she will meet with Independent Ireland’s four TDs to seek their support as well.

Currently, only three candidates—Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys, Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin, and Independent Catherine Connolly—are officially in the race. Connolly recently received the backing of Sinn Féin, with party leader Mary Lou McDonald pledging full support to ensure her election.

The atmosphere is charged with frustration among candidates over the challenging nomination process. Party directives have tightened the route to nominations, with Fine Gael discouraging councillors from supporting any candidates. Despite this, some, like Tipperary’s Mary Hanna Hourigan, have voiced dissent, calling the party’s stance “undemocratic” and backing Sheridan, although he ultimately did not receive Tipperary’s nomination.

With the nomination window closing at midday on September 24 and the election set for October 24, the pressure is mounting. As local councils make their decisions today, the outcome could dramatically reshape the presidential race.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops. Readers are encouraged to share this urgent news as candidates push for nominations in a highly competitive environment.