In a dramatic eleventh-hour development in Ireland’s presidential race, Maria Steen secured her 18th nomination from Independent Senator Aubrey McCarthy on Wednesday morning, leaving her just two signatures shy of the 20 required from Oireachtas members to contest the October 24 election.
McCarthy, founder of the homelessness charity Tiglin, confirmed on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that he would sign her papers, emphasising that his support was not an endorsement but a commitment to giving voters choice in what could otherwise be the smallest field of candidates since 1990.
With the midday deadline looming, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín urged remaining independents to step up, praising the cross-party collaboration that has already included backing from four Independent Ireland TDs, as Steen vowed to continue her campaign push to secure the final nominations needed.
