Sinn Fein has confirmed that MEP Liadh Ni Riada will be its candidate in the Irish presidential election.
The party’s ruling council – ard chomhairle – selected the 52-year-old at a meeting in Dublin on Sunday.
I am delighted that the @sinnfeinireland Ard Comhairle has chosen @LiadhNiRiadaMEP as our Presidential candidate. Fantastic choice. We are in this campaign to win! pic.twitter.com/CpzZadHefk
— David Cullinane (@davidcullinane) September 16, 2018
The former TV producer, who is daughter of legendary Irish trad musician and composer Sean O Riada, is a vocal Irish language advocate and one of Sinn Fein’s four MEPs.
She becomes the fifth name in the mix for next month’s poll.
Two businessmen who were both investors on the Irish version of Dragons’ Den – Sean Gallagher and Gavin Duffy – are running as independent candidates, as is mental health advocate Senator Joan Freeman.
The trio all secured the required endorsement of four local councils in order to officially become candidates.
The two biggest parties – Fine Gael and Fianna Fail – are both backing Mr Higgins for a second stint, as is the Labour Party.
A range of other would-be independent candidates still retain hope of convincing undeclared councils to back their bids before the September 26 deadline.
The election is taking place on October 26.
