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

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.

Cathaoirleach Cllr John Carroll opened the meeting by outlining the procedure: each candidate would have five minutes to present, followed by a ten-minute Q&A with councillors.

Of the twelve candidates who had confirmed attendance, only nine turned up on the day. While most delivered strong and emblematic presentations, a few clearly stood out to the chamber.

One of the more prominent candidates, Gareth Sheridan, was first to speak. At 36 years old, he addressed his lack of political experience head-on: “I’ve just turned 36 and my running for President is not just youthful arrogance. While I have no political experience, another candidate, Jim Gavin, who has been selected by Fianna Fáil, also has none. However, like Jim, I have had exceptional life experience all throughout my 20s and until now, and I am very proven as a businessman.”

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Sheridan explained that he had stepped away from his business after moving home and being struck by the housing crisis: “So many people my age that I knew were living in their parents’ box rooms, facing emigration, or on housing lists. My generation is the first to be worse off than our parents.” He said he wanted future generations to inherit “an Ireland they can be proud of” and cautioned against scapegoating migrants for the country’s problems: “There is a cohort of people in Ireland blaming immigrants for the way the country is, when it’s ourselves that are to blame.”

He also set out his positions on key issues, stating that he is pro-EU, pro-choice, and in favour of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. During questions, Cllr Máirín McGrath asked about his Irish-language ability. Sheridan responded partly in Irish, before explaining in English that he is taking weekly lessons with a tutor and considers relearning Irish a priority, though he admitted he was not yet debate-ready in the language.

Cllr David Dunne put the same set of policy questions to almost every candidate: Should there be a referendum on a United Ireland by 2030? Do you believe there is a genocide in Gaza, and do you support the Occupied Territories Bill? Do you support public ownership of water services, enshrined in the Constitution? Do you agree with the Triple Lock? Do you believe in a right to housing? Sheridan answered “yes” to all five.

Another candidate who drew particular attention was Cllr Kieran McCarthy, an Independent councillor from Cork. He began by saying that Mary McAleese had inspired him to enter politics and that she was a huge influence on his decision to seek the presidency. He outlined three key missions: creating a National Voices of Ireland cultural hub to bring people together through history and the arts; greater engagement with the Irish diaspora, noting that Ireland does not connect enough with its citizens abroad; and encouraging the President to collaborate more closely with local authorities rather than being, in his words, “just a picture on the wall.” When it came to questions, McCarthy answered in the affirmative to all of Cllr Dunne’s policy questions. Cllr Ann Marie Ryan, who asked each candidate about their involvement in social justice issues, received from McCarthy an account of his local work to tackle racism.

The other candidates who presented were Dr Cora Stack, Walter Ryan Purcell, Charlotte Keenan, William Allen, Donnacha MacGabhann, Keith McCrory, and Dolores Cahill. Dr Stack, though nervous, delivered an impassioned speech and argued that the process was flawed, remarking: “I am being stitched up left, right and centre.”

Walter Ryan Purcell, uncle of Tipperary filmmaker Nicholas Ryan Purcell, drew attention with his criticism of Fine Gael. He said he would not be running if Sean Kelly or Billy Kelleher were in the race, and when pressed by Cllr Declan Burgess, he elaborated: “I used to be a staunch Fine Gael voter, but I am now very disappointed in the party. Simon Harris should get out of politics for ten years and get a real job.”

What was most striking across the day’s proceedings was the tone and character of the field. Artists, historians, and cultural figures made up a strong share of the candidates, and the emphasis was consistently on engagement and inclusivity rather than the rigid agendas more familiar in traditional elections.

Cllr Máirín McGrath’s questions on the Irish language placed it firmly in the spotlight, and almost every candidate not only endorsed its importance but pledged to improve their own fluency if not already proficient. Likewise, Cllr Dunne’s set of questions revealed a remarkable level of agreement: almost all candidates voiced support for a referendum on Irish unity, endorsed the Occupied Territories Bill, and described the situation in Gaza as genocide.

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.

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Both Gareth Sheridan and Cllr Kieran McCarthy were formally proposed. Sixteen 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.

In his acceptance speech, Sheridan said: “Firstly, thank you and I think it was really important today that Tipperary sent a message that your constitutional right and prerogative enshrined in article 12 of the constitution could be used and I’m fully aware of the old saying that where Tipperary leads Ireland follows and I hope this continues on now and we do have independents on the ballot and we do have more than a three horse race in the upcoming election and you’ve played a critical part in that today and really want to say thank from the bottom of my heart. I think you sent a really strong message today.”