Presidential race heats up with 15 candidates to pitch for Waterford Council's nomination

Waterford City and County Council has confirmed it has received 15 submissions from candidates hoping to secure the council's backing in the upcoming Irish presidential election.

The Special Meeting will take place this Friday, September 19, at the Civic Offices in Dungarvan.

Among the names putting themselves forward are Peter Casey, who previously ran in the 2018 election, alongside Dolores Cahill, Dr. Donncha MacGabhann, Cllr. Kieran McCarthy, Lorna McCormack, Joseph Obi, and Dr. Cora Stack.

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Other hopefuls on the list include Nick Delehanty, Gearoid Duffy, Keith McGrory, Catherine Morrissey Smyth, Sarah Louise Mulligan, Lucy Anne O'Leary, David Parnell and Gerben Uunk.

To secure a place on the ballot paper for the presidential election, a candidate must either be nominated by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas (TDs or Senators) or by at least four local authorities. With only one nomination permitted per council, competition at local level can be intense.

If a candidate manages to gather the required backing, their name will officially go forward for the ballot alongside any other qualifying contenders. Sitting or former presidents may also self-nominate, but all other candidates must rely on the support of political parties or councils.

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While 15 candidates will present at Friday's meeting, councillors can endorse only one nominee; however, they are not required to nominate anyone at all. Once a nomination is made, no further names can be put forward by Waterford Council.

Public access to the meeting will be restricted, with priority given to candidates and their representatives. A schedule of the day will be circulated to candidates later this week.