Niall O Dowd, Irish Voice, Silenced by rejection of the Irish People
Irish-American publisher Niall O’Dowd has decided to withdraw from the contest for the Presidency, citing the difficulties facing independent candidates. O Dowd who has been a cheer leader for Sinn Fein in the United States was even rejected by that party. A senior member of Sinn Fein told The Irish Observer:
“The last thing this country needs is a Plastic Paddy running for President of Ireland supported by Sinn Fein”.
Following rejections by all political entities, Niall O Dowd said:
“I believe the logistics involved in mounting a nationwide campaign against established political parties for an Independent are extremely difficult,” he said.
While Mr O Dowd’s brother is a Fine Gael TD and Mr O Dowd has been a cheer leader for Sinn Fein in America the reality is that O Dowd has been living outside of Ireland for the past 32 years and is totally detached from the reality of the day to day living for Irish people.
Mr O’Dowd entered the race early last month and later held meetings in Dublin with Fianna Fáil general secretary Seán Dorgan and Sinn Féin leaders Gerry Adams and Mary Lou McDonald, however, secretly both parties totally rejected his nomination bid believing that it was O Dowd’s latest egotistical exploit.
Sinn Féin is expected to support the Labour Party’s Michael D Higgins.
When Mr Higgins was the minister responsible for broadcasting in the Fianna Fail-Labour government of 1992-94, he lifted the section 31 ban on Sinn Féin interviews.
Another presidential hopeful, Special Olympics executive Mary Davis, last night secured her first nomination from a council when she beat Dragons’ Den panellist Seán Gallagher and Trinity College Dublin Senator David Norris.
Ms Davis secured the backing of 15 councillors on Louth County Council, with Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil blocs voting for her, along with a number of independents, making the north-eastern county the first to support her candidacy.
However, Mr Gallagher, who lives in the Blackrock district of Co Louth, secured just one vote, which came from Independent councillor Alan Grehan. Senator Norris received no votes.
Although Mr Gallagher is a former member of the Fianna Fáil national executive, councillors from the party voted to endorse Ms Davis. However four other local authorities have already supported his nomination.
Mr Sean Gallagher also gave a FREE talk at the New Grange Hotel in Navan last night, the event had been organised by Meathvec and was an opportunity for young business people to learn about the ups and downs of starting and running their own business, the public meeting was a great success and credit must go to Margaret Deegan, VTOS, Co-ordinator, Meathvec and Sean Gallagher for giving his time FREE to help others.
Senator Norris addressed the council first, at County Hall in Dundalk, followed by Ms Davis and then Mr Gallagher.
A question-and-answer session followed with all three candidates, who were then asked to leave the chamber for the council to consider its decision.
Fine Gael council members wanted the vote adjourned until later in July.
This motion was defeated and Green Party councillor Marianne Butler successfully proposed a vote should be taken last night as “three candidates had been invited by the council and deserved to know the outcome”.
After the result, a delighted Ms Davis said she was “honoured and humbled” to receive the support of Louth County Council.
