This morning.
At Custom House in Dublin.
Presidential candidate Sean Gallagher, accompanied by his wife Trish and children Bobby and Lucy (top), lodged his election nomination papers.
He went on to tell awaiting reporters that he won’t be taking part in a presidential debate on RTÉ Radio One’s News at One on Thursday because President Michael D Higgins cannot attend due to a pre-existing commitment.
Jack Power, in The Irish Times, reports:
Submitting his nomination forms this morning, Mr Gallagher said he would not be participating in the debate due to President Higgins’ absence, in the interest of “fairness” that all candidates be available to take part.
The “situation could easily have been avoided had RTÉ contacted the office of the President to find out if indeed the President was available on these scheduled dates”, Mr Gallagher said.
“Perhaps what we do now is not concentrate on this debate, but on the lessons that can be learned going forward, to ensure that this doesn’t happen again.”
Seán Gallagher confirms he will not take part in first presidential debate (Jack Power, The Irish Times)
Kinlan Photography via Rollingnews