Presidential election candidate, Heather Humphreys, with her husband Eric, daughter Eva and grandchildren Arthur (4), Charlotte (1) and son-in-law Sean.Fine Gael officially launched her campaign to become Uachtarán na hÉireann at Monaghan Peace Campus last Saturday. PHOTO: Fergal Phillips

KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY

Presidential contest heating up as 20 hopefuls approach Cavan County Council for nomination

Zoe Tunney

Published: Fri 19 Sep 2025, 11:59 AM

Conservative barrister Maria Steen is among those on a list of 20 names seeking support from Cavan County Council for their respective presidential bids - but her application, and others, are unlikely to even merit a formal vote given the majority held by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on the local authority.

As the race for the Áras continues with just three official runners so far, focus has turned to local councils like Cavan to see if new candidates will emerge through the local authority route.

To be eligible for election as President, you must be nominated by either at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or at least four local authorities.

On the national front, over the weekend, Fine Gael formally launched the campaign for former Cavan-Monaghan TD and government minister Heather Humphreys to run on their behalf; Fianna Fáil has selected former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin to represent them and Sinn Féin is yet to decide if it will run a candidate. The party’s president, Mary Lou McDonald, has ruled herself out but NI First Minister Michelle O’Neill has not. Independent presidential candidate Catherine Connolly, meanwhile, will be hoping Sinn Féin will row in behind her campaign.

The deadline for nominations in the next presidential election is 12 noon on September 24.

Last week, former MMA champion Conor McGregor was in Cavan and Monaghan.

While he spoke with Cavan-Monaghan Fine Gael TD David Maxwell at his constituency office in Monaghan Town, the Celt can confirm the Dubliner did not officially seek nomination from either Monaghan or Cavan county councils and withdrew from the race on Sunday.

Cavan County Council had officially received 20 requests from individuals seeking the support of the local authority in their bid to join the election race.

Among the 20 names is a Leitrim man now living in Kerry who wants a wheelbarrow to become the next president. Barry Wheely Row from Lurganboy says he wants to bring some ‘humour and light’ into the campaign.

Young entrepreneur, Gareth Sheridan, who has links to Ballyhaise businessman Sean Gallagher, has also approached Cavan County Council for support.

On Monday, he became the first independent candidate to secure a local authority nomination when Kerry County Council voted to back him.

Maria Steen, meanwhile, is probably best known for her campaign against the care and family referenda, which were both defeated last year.

Steen has considerable political experience after campaigning against the 2013 Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act, the 2015 same-sex marriage referendum and the 2018 referendum on the Eighth Amendment.

Aontú has endorsed her as a candidate and is pushing to help get her on the ballot paper. To date, she has the backing of 11 TDs.

Cavan’s only Aontú councillor Adrian Rogers confirmed to the Celt that he has written to Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Fianna Fáil’s John Paul Feeley, to propose Maria Steen and Independent Councillor Brendan Fay confirmed he would second that proposal.

When this was put to Sinn Féin’s Stiofán Conaty he said: “We don’t intend opposing Maria Steen.”

Cllr Rogers asked Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council to “arrange a special meeting to allow Maria an opportunity to put her case to you and the other members of our Council”.

However, Council Chair, John Paul Feeley (FF), told the Celt members will “not be meeting if there is no need to”.

There are 18 councillors on Cavan County Council, which is made up of six Fine Gael members, six Fianna Fáil, three from Sinn Féin, two independent councillors and one from Aontú.

“Fine Gael councillors have been told to vote for Heather and they have six councillors,” Cllr Feeley explained. “I have spoken to the party whips of each of the three main parties to discuss the potential candidates who have written to me to find out if there was a realistic chance that any of those people would get nominated.

“The chair is only obliged to have a special meeting if there is a requisition signed by five or more members. I have not had to call a meeting yet,” the seasoned council member explained.

Cllr Feeley said he was aware there was a proposer and seconder for Maria Steen and confirmed “their request is currently under consideration”.

With this information, it is becoming apparent the numbers aren’t there to get Maria Steen or any of the 19 others who have approached Cavan County Council nominated to join the 2025 presidential campaign.

Voting will take place on October 24.

WHO WANTS THE NOD?

The list of 20 individuals who have written to Cavan County Council seeking the elected members’ support to run for the presidential election are:

Joseph Chikelue Obi

Keith McGrory

Paudie Ó Dúinnin

Cora Stack

Searlait Ní Chianáin

Gareth Sheridan

Barry Wheely Row

Dominic Plant

Gerben Uunk