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LAST UPDATE | 14 Sep 2018
BUSINESSMAN AND DRAGONS’ Den personality Gavin Duffy has become the fourth official candidate on the ballot for next month’s presidential election.
It follows a vote today by Waterford Council.
Duffy was previously endorsed by councils in Meath, Carlow and Wicklow.
To get on the presidential ballot paper, a candidate needs the backing of at least four councils or 20 members of the Oireachtas.
Duffy secured the backing of 14 councillors at a meeting of Waterford City and County Council this afternoon. Journalist Gemma O’Doherty was backed by two councillors and there was one abstention.
Speaking about the news, Duffy thanked the cross-party councillors who backed him.
“I got support from all of the Fianna Fáil councillors, all of the Fine Gael councillors present and Labour as well as all of the independents except two who were proposing and supporting Gemma O’Doherty,” he said.
Duffy added that he’s “ready to contest the presidential election and looking forward to it”.
President Michael D Higgins, who is entitled to nominate himself, has indicated he will run again.
Pieta House founder Joan Freeman and Sean Gallagher – another Dragons’ Den star, who also ran in 2011 – have also secured places on the ballot.
Sinn Féin will also contest the election, and are set to announce their candidate on Sunday.
The election will be held on Friday 26 October.
With reporting by Órla Ryan
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It’s just a farce now
@Diddles Daffy: Welcome to the Árus.What amount do need for the Start?
@Diddles Daffy: only time dragons come out of the den it seems
@Diddles Daffy: higgins is grand for it he said rip castro and thats good enough for me Cuba exported doctors while other countries export bombs
Miggildy will walk it, the dragons den lads happy to be part of campaign as it boosts their profiles going forward in the corporate world.
@Kj bar: it looks like it’s become a personal bet / wager among the dragons den lads for the craic, who can either take the presidency or get closest to it on polling day wins. An absolute farce
gemma o doherty deserves to at least be heard, theres a lot of interest in her a lot of people who would vote for her.
@We Love Katamari: nobody outside of the journal is talking about her, and if they do it is negative. Michael D has this!
@We Love Katamari: you’re right, people are interested in her; a (metaphorical) crash does tend to draw attention. Can’t see enough people voting for her though.
@Big Red: you’re wrong. I was on one page the other night and it was wall to wall gemma.
@We Love Katamari: what “page” was that?
@We Love Katamari: What page was that?
@We Love Katamari: “Theres a lot of interest in her, a lot of people who would vote for her”….I’m not being facetious, but, I’ve seen no evidence of any support or interest in her, is there any particular segment of society supporting her? Indeed or strange comments seem to be isolating her from many.
There’s a ‘guy’ on Twitter called Andy who’s Gemmas number on fan! That’s about it! A lot of speculation that Andy is Gemma!
@We Love Katamari: People are sick of the cronyism in ireland. we need someone like gemma to call them out. i will put gemmas name on the ballot nominated or not.
@Clifford Brennan: Gemma’s Facebook page lol
@We Love Katamari: her conspiracy tinfoil hat crap deserves to be heard? Really?
@Barry Somers: Careful now, I hope you have privilege. That sort of statement is libelous and Gemma will have you in front of the high court!
From that post;
Doesn’t Gemma O’Doherty represent exactly what you say is missing from the presidential hopefuls? #gemma4aras18 Why have you not lend her your support?
Yeah I thought Gemma would have been your candidate of choice
The housing crisis is an intentional consequence of the corruption in this state. You should be backing the anti-corruption candidate.
put forward Gemma o Doherty please …See more
Let’s face it PBP Gemma O’Doherty quite unlikely to be elected but I would rather hear her pitches than those of obnoxious Duffy Gallagher and anti choice Freeman but you are giving them oxygen and a free ride?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddhSt3fLpBM&feature=share And how on earth did The Left come to that conclusion while Gemma O’Doherty was reading the riot act to Sligo county council in their chambers about Housing? Nigel Gallagher – People Before Profit ??? Stop ignoring what is going on here and do something.
For Christ sake nominate Gemma O Doherty she is the only candidate worth voting for FF FG won’t nominate her. In the interest of democracy put her on the ballot. It’s a disgrace it comes down to politicans to chose who runs. She has support from people and we should be allowed to vote for her if she wins or looses it irrelevant we have a right to a voice !!
If you want change and someone who will fight tooth and nail to highlight and end corruption in this country then put Gemma O’Doherty forward.
Gemma wants to end corruption, I would have thought this was something you guys would get on board with. She’s not anti vax, a little research on what she’s said should clear that up very easily. She has said she’d sign abortion in to law…what more do you want?
Why not support Gemma O’Doherty? The wishes of the public need to be respected.
Gemma for the park, Gemma for the people!!! ✊✊✊
Disappointed PBP. We want Gemma. A lot of incorrect information posted about her here.
I see your priorities are misplaced. Really sad.
We want Gemma, we want Gemma
And that’s just one post on one page generated THAT.
like I said all over social media
@Barry Somers: she’s far from tin foil hat conspiracies but is treated as such by mainstream media when she gets a glimmer of a look in. if Gemma is niffing then there tends to be a reason. look at her track record
@Bruce van der Gutschmitzer: sniffin
@We Love Katamari: Maybe SF will surprise everyone and announce Gemma as their candidate. After all SF are not like the establishment parties and would put forward the best candidate for their country not the party.
@Pádraig Debhál: far too much corruption and in party politics in SF party for them to put her forward and she’d never go with them either.
@We Love Katamari: Wow even People Before Profit are against vouching for her? One of the only things I can remember agreeing with them on.
@We Love Katamari: They’re afraid to see her on tv debates.
@We Love Katamari: From what I’ve heard Gavin Duffy got nominated by Wicklow as he was the only candidate after Joan Freeman withdrew. If this is true then Gemma o Doherty cannot be giving out that she hasn’t been nominated.
@Clifford Brennan: Page 3
@Shane Corry: Not with PBP on Marriage Equality? Repeal?
@We Love Katamari: Who? Let us know!
@We Love Katamari: and by the looks of those examples a lot of people do not understand the role of the President. If she did somehow manage to get elected, these people would be very disappointed very quickly as people realise she does not have the power to do anything about the issues she feels strongly about – she has no choice but to sign laws (unless repugnant to BnÉ), has no say on housing, can do nothing official on corruption etc.
@We Love Katamari: I’m putting her name down anyway, I wouldn’t vote for any of the others in a fit!
@Big Red: thats not true
@Reg: your confusing her with Leo!
@Big Red: A labour party member, said he’d only do the job for one term. Then being labour, he gets the taste for champagne and wants another go at the bottle.
@We Love Katamari: Sinn Fein stooge……no thanks!
@We Love Katamari: do you actually know what the president even does. President is NOT ALLOWED AN OPINION, you clown! It’s an apolitical role. So if she does want to do something about the mess,she will have to be a TD or something. I think she just wants a fabulous gaff in an ideal location for 7 years. Like the dragons, opportunists.
I did photography for a private event to which he was the guest speaker in 2013. He spent 20 minutes blasting every corner of the Irish media for being too “negative” during the recession. He said **** the complainers & They deserve to be left behind. Of course all the guests loved it and they treated all staff at the event like we were beneath them. He’s a bad person
@Irish Political GIF: As someone who has know him since he started work, he is a brown envelope person. And yes I can back that statement up
@Irish Political GIF: anyone who advises Denis O’B or his ilk are bad people, not to be trusted.
@Vincent: Go on then.
@Vincent: Evil thrives where good people stand by and do nothing. If you have appropriate information, you should do something with it. That is how you help society, by stamping out corruption. If you have knowledge of wrongdoing and do nothing about it, then you are complicit in the corruption.
@Bruce van der Gutschmitzer: An absolutely ridiculous statement..I’m sure you have some pearls of wisdom to back up that complete generalisation. I’m no fan of GD but I assume you have some logic to impart..
@Vincent: Do tell all Vincent. If you have real evidence of corruption and particularly about someone running for the Arás then you should spill the beans.
@John O’Hara: excellently put
@Irish Political GIF: was at an enterprise competition with some students, he was the “special guest” he was talking about dragons den and one point was talking about t shirts from Taiwan.. he then went on to imitate the accents of those from Taiwan. The organiser is the event couldn’t believe it and his mouth hit the ground! Duffy would only embarrass Ireland, he hasn’t an ounce of the sophistication or decorum that Michael D has.
@Breda Jennings:
I agree with u Breda. I don’t believe we need a President but Michael D is everything a true Irishman should be. He’s polished, knows his onions about Gaelic history and can mix with Kings and Paupers alike.
The rest are classless.
@The Exhibition Guy!: There is a time and place and on the comments section of the Journal isn’t the place.
@The Exhibition Guy!: Nothing but my judgement of his smarmy head on that programme and his association with do’b and wishy washy explanation when asked about it. Which is enough for me. Don’t think it’s that ridiculous
@Pinkady: remember Michael D screaming at Michael Graham on Hook radio show? Not so presidential then…..
@Vincent: Absolutely but should be reported if there is real evidence Vincent…fair point about the journal tho.
@Bruce van der Gutschmitzer: don’t disagree with you on the smarmy head bit Bruce but not everyone who has done work for DOB is the same…
@Vincent: I hope so….
Michael D is looking better every day ! These guys just have no class .
@Deirdre Gosson: Have to agree with you. Michael D is a warm, intelligent, well-read, cultured man. All these dragons are chancers where the bottom line is money. This is all about the dragons realising a goal for themselves rather than seeing the Presidency as an opportunity to serve.
@Deirdre Gosson: all three biz heads hoping to dilute Michael D chances
Guffawing all the way
Chancers! This is turning into a dragons den weener measuring exercise. Guaranteed they’ll take the full 325k on offer.
@Bruce van der Gutschmitzer: The headline for if neither of the win the election will have a picture of the winner captioned ‘Dragon Slayer’
@Brendan Hughes: Wouldn’t be first time a Hobbit helped slay a dragon!
It’s Donald Trump syndrome these business fellas think they can win it. They just do not have the right skill set for the job it would take an exceptional candidate to run against Higgins surely Duffy and Gallagher know they don’t stand any kind of chance.
I was unsure how I’d vote this time round. I voted for m Higgins first time and was looking forward to a fair bit of competition but this is becoming a joke. I’ll probably vote for him again
He’s pro hunting .. the dears the the park better watch out!
@Maria Corcoran: Oh dear!Oh deer! It will be renamed Anus an Uachtaráin!
@Maria Corcoran:
Doe, a deer, a female deer
Ray, a drop of golden sun
Me, a name I call myself
Far, a long, long way to run…
I hoping for at least one more person with completely the wrong skill set
Come on folks we need the people’s champion Gemma on the ticket.. I have squirrel-like stocked up on pop-corn.
Bangs head off desk…
Looks like the Dragons will work together to get Gallagher in.
Gallagher will run a straight campaign , squeaky clean – while Duffy and Casey will throw the dirt around on Michael D. – then Duffys and Caseys transfers will all go to Gallagher when they are eliminated.
Classic tactical move all running together.
Only the Irish would vote rich people into richer public service positions …. and the country bankrupt…. no homes, no health, no jobs outside the Pale…. hilarious!
@Pinkady: That is hardly an Irish phenomenon… Trump, Macron, and many other world leaders were wealthy before being elected.
@Chris Judge:
Yes but they are Politicians who run their country , Leaders. We already have a Taoiseach , a Tánaiste and a President with NO power other than to dissolve or swear in the Govnt of the State. An Irish President therefore is nothing more than another expensive Civil servant with a massive salary, a big house, a big pension and a few annual junkets thrown in!
Another ill fitting suit wearing sweaty palmed limp handshake giving chancer.
Darragh playing fast and loose with the word “star”
How depressing
BUSINESSMAN. Says it all.
He could go in 50 50 with Sean
Hopefully one of these can get Higgins out ….he lied to us so he has to go
@Martin O Donnell: Ridiculous, Man.
@Martin O Donnell: Ní thuigim
@Martin O Donnell: Ridiculous comment…boohoo, he lie..lie…lied to us! *sobs*
People change their minds all the time. It’s common in high level positions for people to extend or seek to extend their tenure of office.
our president does not hold the same type of mantle as the president of the USA. these dragon den hams should be let no where near office. wrong types of candidates in a field where president of Ireland needs be someone with a political background or made an impact on citizens of this island.
Why do we have Duffy’s Circus when we have our own appearing every 7 years?. ..we just need some talented clown painters
Seems to me like the electorate are split mainly between those that want Michael D Higgins to remain as president and those that want him out. The more candidates that get on the ballot, the more the anti Michael D vote gets split. At this stage Michael D just needs to sit back and wait for his re election.
@Jes McNamara: not necessarely. If the Shinners put up a candidate the ‘left’ vote could be split and let one f th clebrity rightwingers in!
@Ro Molloy: SF very unlikely to win and they will be transferring to MDH I assume. In the last election as it came to an end both McGuinness and Mitchell were eliminated and their votes went 207k to MDH and 80k to SeánG. If I were running a campaign against Seán I’d be asking what he has done for the last seven years to prepare for the role. Where was he during the huge debates around SSM and Repeal?
Think ill be sticking with the little chap thats there already
So 2 Pr1cks, A prolife religious nutjob and Gemma if she’s lucky.. MDH can put off the packing for a bit.
He’ll wipe the floor with everyone in any debate . Brilliant speaker
@Dave Harris: Who? Duffy? You gotta be jokin us?
@Dave Harris: OK great, he’s got my vote then, that’s just what Irish politics needs – someone who’s good at talking. Fantastic.
@Margate: You’ve clearly never seen the millionaire communications consultant speak so
Gerry Gerry Gerry!
In for the money and power
Good news. We need an outsider with a bit of common sense, and business background, to run for these positions in Ireland.
@J. Reid: why do we need someone with a business background in a ceremonial role?
@Karen Wellington:
Why do we need a President at all ?
Hav’nt we enough spongers on the taxpayers civil list as it is!!!!!
@J. Reid: He is a crooked joke, u want someone that bribes people as our President?
@Pinkady: Ireland does not have a “civil list” system.
Another ‘celebrity’. Just what the country needs. Jeez we gettin as bad as the US. Is the reason we have so many of these type of candidates because the right in this country just cannot brigtheselves to vote for a Labour candidate?
Looks like the Dragons will work together to get Gallagher in.
Gallagher will run a straight campaign , squeaky clean – while Duffy and Casey will throw the dirt around on Michael D. – then Duffy and Casey transfers will all go to Gallagher when they are eliminated.
Classic tactical move all running together.
@Eug J Cummins: why is it not a first past the post wins election?
The inextricable link between Business and Politicians…. Clapping each other on the back, while the majority of the people go without. What fools the electorate are..! A good anti corruption candidate and no support from the politicians….. any surprise there?
@John O’Hara: I presume you’re referring to the litigious conspiracy theorist former journalist ?
@An bhearna: I presume your one of the bad ones, that prefer corruption and no proper accountability.
He will have to mortgage another house now
Duffy my @rse!
Looks like pure evil, all he needs is smoke coming from his eyes
Norma Burke gets my vote.
@Pat Lonergan: On what Council are you P? !
Another Trump wanabee….spare me….as they say in Italy: “Mangia merda e muori fica inutile ….”
The transfers from Gav will give Sean the boost to get over the line that he didn’t have last time.
I recall the great John B Keane’s response when he was being touted as possible prez back in the day. “I was shaving this morning,had a look at meself in the mirror and didn’t see a president!” I wish some of this present crop of fools would take a leaf from his book
Oh no, please, some awful people stepping forward in this race, maybe it would be best if we let Michael D. go again.?
My pet hamster, “Roger the rabbit” is.putting himself forward and has the backing of a number of county councils. Looking for your vote!
BLOOD SPORTS
JESUS WEPT
Peter Casey is next Dragon up to make a pitch
WTF
Presidential Election: Tallies
Michael D Higgins: Nominated
Sean Gallagher: Nominated; 5 endorsements from Roscommon, Mayo, Leitrim, Wexford, Cavan
Joan Freeman: Nominated; 4 endorsements from Cork City, Fingal, Galway County, Galway City
Gavin Duffy: Nominated; 4 endorsements from Waterford, Meath, Carlow, Wicklow
Windbag
It would seem the new title for Aras is going to be ‘Dragon’s Den’, Phoenix Park!
Its Bunty TwuntingdomMcMuff all the way for me
RTÉ are launching a new Dragons Den, their just looking for sponsors, I say its milking the free advertising.
Duffy for president
I hope so….
Useless buffoon
Id vote for Duffy but who would do liveline??
Meanwhile back at the ranch…
The 3 dragons…where is their mother?..Queen Daenerys of the House Targaryen, the First of Her Name, The Unburnt, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Queen of Meereen, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Protector of the Realm, Lady Regnant of the Seven Kingdoms, Breaker of Chains and Mother of Dragons”.
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