Presidential hopefuls to face Leitrim Councillors on September 22nd

Presidential candidates will appear before Leitrim County Council on September 22nd as part of their bid to secure nominations for next month’s election.

Local authorities across Ireland are due to hold meetings in the coming weeks to decide whether to put forward candidates. Each council will hear from hopefuls before making its decision. Leitrim County Council, which consists of five Independents, four Sinn Féin members, six Fianna Fáil and three Fine Gael councillors, has set its hearing for later this month.

Kieran Brett, Director of Services with Leitrim County Council, confirmed the level of interest: “There are 18 valid candidates that have written to Leitrim County Council seeking to be heard,” he said.

However, Brett stressed that the council is not considering Conor McGregor’s approach as a valid request. He explained that the email received came from a website — www.mcgregor2025.ie — which describes itself as an unofficial grassroots supporters’ campaign and “not Mr. McGregor’s official representatives or agents.” The group told the Leitrim Observer: “We have written to all councils urging them to consider nominating Mr. McGregor.”

Leitrim councillor Paddy O’Rourke questioned McGregor’s chances locally, suggesting the fighter may be targeting smaller councils but warning that councils with more independents could prove more decisive.

“Some councils have 40 councillors, smaller councils probably appeal to him in that regard but in Leitrim we have fewer independents and more party-loyal councillors,” he said. "But if one independent proposed him and another seconded him, and the rest abstained, he could technically get through by default. That may be what he’s hoping for — to swing it on a technicality in a smaller council. But it’s still a long shot, and he hasn’t got much time.”

Asked if he personally could be swayed, O’Rourke was blunt: “I wouldn’t be inclined to support him. Apart from his behaviour in the courts, his whole demeanour doesn’t appeal to me. I’d be fearful it would take him a very long time to understand what the role of President really involves.”

Despite the clarification, McGregor in an Instagram post said: “As President, I will not sign any bill in law until it goes back to the people first! If you want to see my name on the ballot for the Presidency, I urge you to contact your local county councillors today and ask them to nominate me. Our councillors are the backbone of our communities. They work harder and deliver more for the people than those in the Oireachtas, who continue to fail this country time and again. If you are a councillor who feels your voice is ignored, your hands tied, and your community overlooked, then I ask you to stand with me. Nominate me, and I will give you the platform and power to be truly heard.”

The September 22nd meeting is expected to be a lively session — whether hopefuls can secure a proposer and seconder, let alone the full backing of the chamber, remains to be seen.

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