Special Olympics Europe managing director Mary Davis has secured her first formal local authority nomination for the presidential election from Galway County Council.
Fourteen councillors, including 3 Finel Gael councillors, voted in favour of the motion. There were 6 abstentions including 5 Fine Gael counsillors and 1 Independent.
Her nomination was proposed at a special meeting of Galway County Council today by Independent councillor Jim Cuddy and seconded by Fianna Fáil councillor Tomás Mannion
Ms Davis was one of six independents to address the council, along with Sean Gallagher, Dr Pat Jones, Richard McSweeney, Dermot Mulqueen and Gary Smiley.
However, the only motion submitted in time for the meeting's deadline was for her candidacy.
Ms Davis said afterwards that she was "delighted" to receive the first formal endorsement in the west of Ireland, given that she is from Mayo.
"The Special Olympics have a very strong programme here in Galway and I know a lot of the volunteers – and my two brothers were pupils at and played football for St Jarlath's College in Tuam,"she said.
Wicklow and Monaghan local authorities are due to vote on the presidential candidacy early next week, while Mayo County Council is due to consider it on September 12th, she said. She has already made presentations to Wicklow and Monaghan councillors.