*Peter Casey. Photograph: Gareth Chaney Collins
A BUSINESSMAN hoping to receive a nomination to contest the Presidential election has sought the support of deceased councillors.
Runner-up to Michael D. Higgins in the 2018 Presidential election, Peter Casey is once again bidding to take up residence at Áras an Uachtaráin. He received the support of four County Councils including Clare to mount his run seven years ago.
However, his initial pitch to elected members of the Council has not gone down well.
Casey’s lack of research has come under fire from Clare councillors after his correspondence seeking their vote which was sent within the past week was sent to deceased and retired members of the Council.
Both PJ Kelly (FF) and Bill Chambers (FF) who have died within the past twelve months were included in Casey’s correspondence along the late Mike McKee (SF) who died in November 2019.
Retired councillors, Tom McNamara (FF), Pat McMahon (FF), Michael Hillery (FF), Johnny Flynn (FG), Ann Norton (IND), Gerry Flynn (IND), Christy Curtin (IND) and PJ Ryan (IND) also received the correspondence with the entrepreneur failing to amend his mailing list to recognise changes to the make-up of the County Council since 2019.
Two TDs, Cathal Crowe (FF) and Joe Cooney (FG) were also included by default owing to their time on the local authority.
The Clare Echo has contacted Peter Casey for comment.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) criticised the lack of research by the Donegal businessman. “I think it is absolutely disgraceful that someone trying to run for the Presidency could look for the support of County Councils and not do the basic research on who the existing councillors are.
“To include three councillors who are sadly deceased and ten people that are no longer councillors smacks of incompetency. What is particularly annoying is we abstained which allowed him to get a nomination from Clare so to no do enough research to get his list right shows how seriously they treat local authorities. It is shocking that people longer with us could be emailed by prospective candidates looking for a nomination”.
Former Dragon’s Den investor, Casey secured 23.3% of first preference votes in the last Presidential election. This was despite coming under fire during the campaigns and calls for him to drop out of the race following comments he made about the traveller community. He has been unsuccessful in the European elections in 2019 and 2024 plus the 2020 General Election.
The Clare Echo understands that up to twenty prospective Presidential candidates have contacted Clare County Council looking to meet with elected members to try secure their support. A date on when pitches will be made to Clare councillors will be agreed by elected members at the adjourned September meeting which takes place on Monday.
Retired MMA fighter, Conor McGregor is among those bidding to get the support of Clare County Council.
