Dragon’s Den Sean Gallagher has hit a stumbling block in his bid to get a Presidential nominee from Donegal County Council.
The RTE star and successful businessman was hoping to get a nomination from Donegal today – the birthplace of his father John.
However Mr Gallagher will have to wait until September to get any formal nomination from the council.
However County Secretary Eunan Sweeney told yesterday’s meeting that no nomination could be made until after the order for the presidential election is signed in September.
Lord Mayor Cora Harvey told council members that three candidates – Mary David, Senator David Norris and Sean Gallagher – had written to the council seeking support.
Councillor Ciaran Brogan suggested the council vote on the three nominees who had approached them.
In the end Mr Gallagher managed to get the nomination after he received the backing of 13 councillors from both Fianna Fail and the Labour Party.
Sinn Fein and Fine Gael decided to abstain from the vote altogether while Ms Davis received the support of one councilor, John Boyle.
The council said that while it has now nominated Mr Gallagher, that is not a legal decision and is subject to change.
A formal vote will now be taken in September.
Mr Gallagher, who was present at the meeting, said he understood the nomination had no legal meaning but was hopeful he will get the nomination from Donegal County Council.
“I am delighted and I appreciate it is an intention but I am grateful for it and I meet forward to meeting them again.
“My father was from Killygordon it’s a huge honour for me that the people of Donegal are supporting me,” he said.
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