'F**king yes! fair play,' Independent councillor reacts to Fine Gael vote for Gareth Sheridan

On Tuesday, September 16, Tipperary county councillors gathered at the Nenagh civic offices to decide on their nomination for candidacy in October’s Irish Presidential Election.

Following the presentations from nine candidates who presented on the day, the vote to nominate a candidate was proposed by Cllr Seamie Morris and seconded by Cllr Liam Browne. However, Cllr Michael Smith and Cllr Willie Kennedy opposed the move, and the council first voted on whether to nominate anyone at all. It quickly became apparent that councillors from Government parties favoured not putting forward a nominee, unsurprising, as their parties had already selected their own candidates. That motion was narrowly defeated by 20 votes to 19, clearing the way for a nomination.

Both Gareth Sheridan and Cllr Kieran McCarthy were formally proposed. 16 councillors abstained from the final choice, most of them from Government parties. Of those who voted, three supported McCarthy while 17 backed Sheridan, making him Tipperary County Council’s nominee.

READ NEXT: Day of drama as Tipperary County Council backs Gareth Sheridan in Presidential run

The decision was marked by visible tension, both in the chamber and among those following online. Some councillors strongly resisted breaking from party lines, but a number did so anyway. When Fine Gael’s Mary Hanna Hourigan sided with the motion to nominate and went on to nominate Gareth Sheridan herself, Cllr Liam Browne could be heard exclaiming online: “F**king yes! Fair play Mary!”

With Kerry County Council already backing him, Sheridan now has two nominations secured. He must win the support of two further councils to guarantee his place on the presidential ballot.