No show Conor McGregor takes the fizz out of Kildare political meeting

Conor McGregor's no show at a Kildare County Council meeting probably came as some relief to politicians and KCC officials - who might have feared that a little chaos would follow.

McGregor, who lives in Straffan, was due to attend to make a case for being nominated to run for the presidency. He was due to address the meeting for ten minutes.

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On the morning, however, he said he was withdrawing from the race.

A number of other candidates seeking to be nominated to run the forthcoming presidential election sought the support of Kildare's elected councillors at a special Kildare County Council meeting yesterday.

They require the support of four local authorities to make it on to the ballot paper

At the outset cathaoirleach Carmel Kelly said the potential candidates would address the meeting and while the councillors could not ask questions, they could follow up with the candidates later.

Kilkenny woman Catherine Morrissey has been living in Kildare for 22 years and is a voluntary literacy tutor at Scoil Bhride, Kilcullen. Ms Morrissey told of her vast employment experience. An honours graduate, her CV includes working at a clinical lead with Wyeth in Newbridge.

“I want to be the people’s president; I have the resource skills, work experience and life skills to maintain the constitution.”

She also said she  is in tune with young people, teens and young adults and would be a good ambassador for Ireland.

Charlotte Keenan said she stood in solidarity with hope, equality, fairness and transparency.

Ms Keenan also said she would foster growth and progress. She also raised the plight of the "unimaginable hardship” being endured by the people of Palestine.

“We cannot stand idly by while innocent lives are lost to conflicts,” she said, adding that Irish people are known for their charity and resilience and “I want to strive for peace.”

Seána Kerr told the councillors she is dedicated to lifelong learning. Ms Kerr said all politicians should adhere to the constitution and “the family is the basic unit of society.”

Ms Kerr added she would blow the whistle for the protection of the lives of babies.

“I will choose integrity over popularity."

Seven people were due to address yesterday’s meeting and a further eighth did not make a presentation but are seeking support.

Lorna McCormack, a businesswoman and mother of four, said she teaches children about the sustainability of Irish wool and was involved locally in creating St Brigid's Cloaks as part of the Brigid 1500 cultural festival.

“The presidency is about moral leadership; it's not about politics. It's about dignity and unity.”

Ms McCormack is directly related to the late former President Patrick Hillery.

Lucy Ann O’Leary said the office of the president is a symbol of who we are.” 

Ms O’Leary said she wants to see an Ireland where every voice matters and “I will strive to embody this.”

Ms O’Leary added: “I will amplify the unheard voices” and said we need to remind ourselves of the strength we find in one another.

She said the presidency is a bridge between the community and politicians. There is a need to address homelessness with compassion and she envisages a presidency where energy is instilled into the office and into how it works with the government because “this nation can be great.”

She said the presidency should be about unity, inclusiveness, compassion and moral clarity.

Dominic Plant urged that TDs be elected nationally rather than to individual local constituencies - because once elected they effectively act as national politicians.

Mr Plant also criticised the media for acting as voices for the government.

About a dozen people listened to them from the public gallery in Aras Chill Dara.