LATEST: Carlow councillors vote not to endorse candidate to contest Presidential Election

Members of Carlow County Council have rejected a proposal to approve the nomination of Gareth Sheridan as a candidate for the upcoming Presidential Election.

The businessman was the only potential candidate to address members of the local authority at a special meeting which took place this Friday afternoon.

Having made his pitch for support, Mr Sheridan, who already has the support of Kerry County Council and Tipperary County Council, answered councillors' questions for over half-an-hour before the official vote took place.

The resolution, which was formally proposed by Cllr Will Paton and seconded by Cllr John Cassin, was rejected by 11 votes to seven meaning Carlow County Council will not be supporting the nomination of any candidate.

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Commenting following the vote, Cllr Paton thanked Gareth Sheridan for attending and for "putting your head above the parapet."

He said putting your name forward for public office is "not easy" and that he hopes Mr Sheridan is successful in securing the support of two more local authorities.

"You haven't got the nod here today. It is my hope that you will have it on Monday and I wish you the very best with that."

Cllr Paton said he was deeply disappointed with the outcome of the vote but that he is a democrat and recognises the outcome of the vote.

The 2025 Presidential Election takes place on Friday, October 24.