Ireland set to feel the heat from Washington's Maga brigade over Occupied Territories Bill
addicts will know the sensation when a word leaps from a page demanding to be the answer to a clue that has not been given. One word in particular has been doing it for nearly two years now. Fidelia or Dominic might give this clue: Without the artist this state only has its deceits. The answer is Israel. (RA subtracted from Israel = lies).
The
Israeli state
has lied constantly throughout its ethnic cleansing campaign in
Gaza
. Ireland cottoned on to the strategy early on. Being viciously branded Jew-haters in response to any criticism makes one wonder. When Ireland joined South Africa's challenge in the International Court of Justice against Israel's genocide in Gaza,
Binyamin Netanyahu
's government attributed the move to anti-Semitism.
It repeated the smear when Dublin announced it was recognising Palestinian statehood. For good measure, Israel shut its Irish embassy as its departing ambassador, Dana Erlich, fulminated about 'pure hatred and obsession [being] directed to Israelis and the Jewish community'.
Telling lies is the Israeli state's modus operandi. As the carpet-bombing, enforced starvation and pulverising of Gaza have ground on and at least 61,000 men, women and children have been wiped off the face of the earth, other countries have come to realise it too. The glaring exception is the only country with the power to stop it –
the United States of America
.
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Israel steps up Gaza attacks as minister unveils plan to 'bury' idea of Palestinian state
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Being pilloried by Israel is a high price to pay for condemning war crimes, but Ireland is discovering it is not the only price. Anti-Irishness is having a field day in
Donald Trump
's America, which swallows Israel's lies and disinformation without compunction.
US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee
has mused: 'Did the Irish fall into a vat of Guinness?' and he suggested we should 'sober up' because of the
Occupied Territories Bill
. Secretary of commerce Howard Lutnick has dubbed this country his favourite 'tax scam'.
Swapping Dana Erlich for Rosie O'Donnell has put a big target on the Emerald Isle's back for the Maga swamp-life in Washington.
The power to green the White House was already waning before Trump moved back in, but his regime has accelerated the decline. He told the Taoiseach over the St Patrick's shamrock bowl he loved Ireland and did not want 'to do anything to hurt' it, before enumerating a list of reasons why he intended to do exactly that. Trump is seriously peeved about the €13.8bn Apple tax bill and Ireland's lion's share of US pharmaceutical and tech companies.
Days later, he invited Conor McGregor – found by a civil jury to have raped Nikita Hand – to use the Oval Office as a platform for a racist rant that 'Ireland is at the cusp of potentially losing its Irishness' and that 'the illegal immigration racket is running ravage'.
That was pop music to the ears of the Fox News power elite on Capitol Hill. (Newsweek has counted at least 23 of the illiberal broadcaster's former presenters and employees ensconced in the Trump administration. Among them are Huckabee, defence secretary Pete Hegseth, transportation secretary Sean Duffy, the man nominated as UN ambassador Michael Waltz and Ukraine special envoy Keith Kellogg). During a discussion about immigration last week , the station's Will Cain Show claimed Dublin was one of the most dangerous cities in Europe.
Is Dublin one of the most dangerous cities in Europe? No.
Listen |
47:23
Now 16 Congress members have written to the treasury secretary urging him to add Ireland to a list of countries deemed to be boycotting Israel in their distorted interpretation of the
Occupied Territories Bill
.
If they get their way, US companies operating in Ireland will be exposed to US penalties. The group is led by Republican Claudia Tenney, who has introduced legislation to make Trump's birthday a federal holiday and has equated the
Occupied Territories Bill
with support for Hamas by the Irish Government.
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Occupied Territories Bill: US Congress group asks that Ireland be added to list of countries boycotting Israel
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It is high time Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris called in US ambassador Edward Sharp Walsh, endorsed by Trump as a 'champion golfer'. Sharp Walsh was sent here with an instruction from his Senate confirmation hearing to hold the Irish Government 'accountable for disparaging a US ally', namely Israel.
In fact, it is Washington that needs to be told some home truths about being a patsy for a state engaged in mass human slaughter. Harris needs to tell the Magacrats to wake up and smell the lies.
After Israeli forces killed 15 Red Crescent, UN and Palestinian civil defence aid workers in a targeted attack on their ambulance convoy in Rafah last March, Israel claimed the vehicles were unmarked and were suspected to be carrying weapons. It was a lie. One of the murdered medics, Rifat Radwan, bequeathed video footage of the attack on his phone. It showed the ambulance lights flashing and no evidence of weapons. Some of the victims had execution-style bullet holes in their heads and chests.
In February 2024, Israeli soldiers opened fire on people seeking food from aid trucks in Gaza City, killing 118 Palestinians and injuring 760 in what has become known as the Flour Massacre. Israel said its soldiers fired warning shots in fear for their safety and that most of the deaths were caused by a stampede. That was a lie, too.
Three hospitals reported treating 'dozens' of people with gunshot wounds, as confirmed by the UN. In hindsight, the massacre was a precursor of the almost daily killings of starving people in the vicinity of the grotesquely named
Gaza Humanitarian Foundation
.
After this week's murder of six journalistic workers in their tent, Israel did what it always does. It smeared the dead. A military spokesman claimed the most prominent victim,
Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif
, was on Hamas's payroll, a claim he rejected in his lifetime and that Al Jazeera also rejects.
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The Irish Times view on the killing of Anas al-Sharif: Israel is targeting journalism
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Trump continues to parrot Netanyahu's canard that Hamas is systematically misappropriating food aid. It takes one to know one. Trump's lying is so instinctive that he has falsely claimed to have been to Gaza, on which he has designs to build the Med of the Middle East.
Next stop the apartheid-ridden West Bank, where illegal settlers, not Israel, are the focus of the Occupied Territories Bill. Washington's denouncers need to have this explained to them because, it seems, they have not read the Bill.
If they have, their moral degeneracy is disgusting.
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Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
Letters to the Editor, August 16th: In defence of the Angelus, SUVs, and worshipping Oasis
Sir, – I'd nearly agree with William Burke (Letters, August 14th) about the Angelus. In the multi-faith, no-faith Ireland of 2025, it would seem to be well past its sell-by date, the product of another age. A little historical context around when it was adopted by Radio Éireann may be illuminating. The year 1950 was a Roman Catholic-designated holy year, with the usual outpourings of piety. Cardinal József Mindszenty had been imprisoned in Hungary. The Korean War was in full swing and the possibility of nuclear exchanges was not discounted. A godless communism was sensed to be rampant and almost unstoppable. In Ireland, the advance of Marxism was to be countered by ostentatious popular Catholic devotion – the 1940s and 1950s saw a whole range of activities aimed at the conversion of Russia. The Pax Christi crusade of prayer was one of the most prominent – there were special devotions to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Our Lady of Fatima – and always the ubiquitous rosary crusades. All this had led to the secretary of the then department of posts and telegraphs, during the late 1940s, discussing the idea of a daily broadcast spoken Angelus with the Catholic archbishop of Dublin, John Charles McQuaid. Charles Kelly, the director of Radio Éireann, was also consulted, but was not in favour of this proposal. READ MORE However, after further discussion they concluded that 'the introduction of speech would be a mistake and we should experiment further simply with a bell'. Archbishop McQuaid suggested that it would be appropriate to commence on the Feast of the Assumption, August 15th, 1950. And so it was done. We have had it ever since; indeed, it has expanded to include a sound and visual version on RTÉ television. While most of us probably like the comfort of some long-run familiarity in our lives (and, born in 1950, the Angelus has always been with me), on the surface it does seem out of place in Ireland 2025. But to this Anglican it is not offensive or in your face – given the florid and triumphalist nature of mid-century Irish Catholicism, the surprise is perhaps that the stark simplicity of the bell is almost Buddhist in its economy and spareness. It can mean what you want it to mean. Similarly, the television version has long moved away from a limited and limiting reference to Catholicism; many of the visuals now celebrate secular activities such as gardening and watchmaking. That gives it a contemporary relevance that is not tied to any narrow Christian denomination – or indeed to religious belief at all. It's only a couple of minutes each day. And no-one is obliged to listen to, or watch, it. Let it be. – Yours, etc, IAN D'ALTON, Naas, Co Kildare. Sir, – I found William Burke's letter suggesting the removal of the Angelus from our air waves to be sad and offensive. What a joy it is to have a minute of quiet reflection to the sound of the Angelus bells. The sound of Angelus bells from our churches also encourages us to take a few thoughtful quiet moments in this busy world. Surely this has to be worthwhile? We should defend our Angelus as it continues to be a wonderful part of our lives today. – Yours, etc, PAUL GETHINGS, Dublin. Sir, – I am writing in response to William Burke's letter where he argues that RTÉ should discontinue its broadcasts of the Angelus. I must say I don't agree. Yes, the broadcast of the Angelus has it origins in what was then (75 years ago) in effect a Roman Catholic confessional state. But no, it should not be done away with. It provides a short time for contemplation and reflection whether one is religious or not and is part of our Irish heritage. What's next – the abolition of Easter and Christmas? – Yours, etc, KP SMYTH, Glasnevin, Dublin 9. Sir, – In these unsettling times if people of all religions and none could just pause and reflect for a minute every day there might be more tolerance, understanding and less vitriol in the world. This will not solve the problems of the world, but would surely calm everybody down a bit. The prompt from RTÉ at 6pm works for me. – Yours, etc, PATRICK HOWLIN, Milltown, Dublin 14. Making a holy show Sir, – I enjoy Emer McLysaght's column. I read it regularly. Reading it today: Well, it read like an account of someone who might have been witness to a sacramental event – the appearance of St Bernadette at the Grotto at Massabielle, France, 1858 (' I'm going to Oasis both nights, tissues at the ready ,' August 12th). Or more recently, Kerry's 39th All-Ireland accomplishment. Regarding the pending Oasis concert: 'I can hardly believe that this weekend, it's happening. So, I bought two more (T-shirts) in something of a panic.' 'You'll find me (crying) in a puddle on the floor', etc, and so on. It surprises and disappoints me that anyone would have this exhausting and hysterical degree of veneration, for an entertainment that is as fleeting and, may I say, unsubstantial as pop music – Taylor Swift is one more example. Of mediocrity. Yes, Really. Can someone please tell me: what is a superstar? I have no idea. – Yours, etc, PADDY FITZPATRICK, Shandon, Cork. School holidays Sir, – It isn't the duration of school holidays that puzzles me, but the breakdown. Why do we have a short holiday in winter and a long holiday in summer? If three weeks were taken off the summer holidays and added to the winter holiday the amount of money spent on heating and lighting would decrease hugely, freeing up funds which could then be spent on more worthwhile educational endeavours. – Yours, etc, JOHN DOYLE, Cork. Gaza offensive conclusions Sir, – It is almost impossible to escape the conclusion that from the beginning of its Gaza offensive Israel's objective was not just defensive, but clearly an exercise in ethnic cleansing. This would be achieved through a three-pronged approach; a large scale and indiscriminate military operation, a blockade of food and medical supplies. and the destruction of the Gaza medical infrastructure. This strategy was implemented under the cover of seeking to eliminate Hamas, whom we were told populated a complex tunnel system, thus requiring a carpet aerial campaign of destruction. In addition, we were informed that every medical facility in Gaza housed terrorists and had to be destroyed, while Hamas was supposed to be stealing all the humanitarian aid so this was withheld and the only agency capable of distributing it was banned from doing so. That is the picture before our eyes and until the international community comes to terms with it, calls it out for what it is and puts a stop to it, this Israeli government will not change its ways. It will kill, starve and oppress until there are no more Palestinians in Gaza. – Yours, etc, LIAM MEADE, Ballyneety, Co Limerick. Policing the traffic police Sir, – The recent report on the Garda road traffic division states that some members are unproductive and disinterested in their job. Surely, they should be accountable for not doing the work they are being paid to do and not wasting taxpayers' money? I travel the M50 on a regular basis and rarely do I see one of the Garda traffic division cars. I have experienced some hairy moments with cars speeding by or overtaking erratically. Why can't we have a road traffic force that is visible. It might lead to less careless driving and maybe save lives? – Yours, etc, BARRY ROONEY, Co Wicklow. Sir, – I was going to write a letter to The Irish Times asking why so many truck drivers on our motorways don't bother putting number plates on their trailers. Now I no longer need to. – Yours, etc, HUGH GALLAGHER, Naas, Co Kildare. In praise of SUVs Sir, – While a few correspondents have made points in defence of sports utility vehicles (SUVs), nonetheless much of what has appeared recently on the Letters page would suggest that, regarding how cars drive, it's simply 'two wheels good, four wheels bad'. This is unfair, incorrect and in some cases dangerously inaccurate in the impression it conveys. It's probably fair to say initially that I drive one, largely I would argue for the reasons to do with the safety of others. This may reflect aspects of my occupation, but is surely not unique. As a doctor on call from home for various categories of emergency, being able to get in, whatever the conditions is important. For example, as hurricane Ophelia was hitting some years ago, I was called to deal with a rare and often fatal emergency called an aortic dissection. The patient recovered fully. During the 'Beast from the East' storm I drove to work picking up two colleagues en route and dropping them home afterward. The operating lists were full of people with wrist and leg fractures from falls on the snow, inevitably. Staff had to get in to deal with this. Living on a hill with a 5-10 per cent gradient and no street lights is not ideal and needing to get to work at all hours in all weathers is the simple reason I use such a vehicle. Its hybrid engine is pretty fuel efficient and road tax therefore quite low. It's a pretty unspectacular car and frankly I'd rather drive the type of sports car that might make me still seem young enough to still have a midlife crisis. But covering dark slippy roads as quickly as possible a few nights a year is a matter of serious importance to me, and many others. One might ask, to illustrate, how are the people who grit the roads supposed to get to work? I aim to minimise the degree to which I risk my safety, even if travelling during red weather warnings. The impression given that this is a particular danger to other road users is not correct. As per, for example, the Euro NCAP safety tests, the car I drive scores 70 for pedestrian safety in a crash. This is not the safest for an SUV but exceeds the measures for many perfectly ordinary cars, and is the same as a VW Polo, for example. Most cars crashes don't involve pedestrians, of course. All involve at least one vehicle and all we can control is the choice of vehicle we are in. One correspondent noted that the weight distribution pattern of SUVs is a particular risk, imparting an '11-times increased risk of rolling over in an incident' (Letters, August 11th). That may be true but one can easily search online to see what vehicles are most associated with road fatalities. It is not a list of SUVs. Not surprisingly, high performance cars tend to feature highly. The other benefits – for older people with hip or back pain, for mothers lifting buggies and car seats and so on – can also be meaningful. But for safe travel in extreme conditions, as unglamorous as they are, SUVs can be seen as life-savers. – Yours, etc, BRIAN O'BRIEN, Co Cork. Presidential elections timing Sir, –I would like to propose a practical scheduling idea for the forthcoming presidential election. Under Article 12(3) of the Constitution, the presidential election must be held no later than the date the current President's term ends, and no more than 60 days before that date. For the current term, this means the election must take place between September 12th and November 11th, 2025. In recent years, primary schools have been closed to accommodate voting: in 2023 for the local and European elections, and in 2024 for the general election. Given that we now know well in advance the precise constitutional window for the presidential election, I suggest that it be scheduled during the schools' mid-term/Halloween break – from October 27th -31st. This would minimise disruption to students, parents, and teachers, while still falling squarely within the constitutional timeframe. – Yours, etc, RICHARD JOYCE, Monkstown, Co Dublin. Sir, – Michael O'Leary for president – no baggage. – Yours, etc, PATRICK DOYLE, Rathvilly, Co Carlow . Sir, – The suggestion from Sadbh Ní Seachnasaigh that you give Michael O'Leary his own column is an excellent idea. You could call it 'Man bites everything'. – Yours, etc, GERRY SAVAGE, Co Galway. Is this a record? Sir, – Even as I recounted Pat O'Brien's lively take on the supermarket mouse (Letters, August 14th) to my neighbour over a cup of tea, we were both startled to observe an animated member of the same species canter casually across my kitchen floor. Almost immediately, my quick-thinking friend flung open the adjacent back door and the tiny creature speedily reduced the rising room temperature by cooperatively exiting the premises. His means of ingress is still under investigation. While the coincidental nature of this experience is certainly remarkable, I'm left wondering if my friend's rapid reaction to a minor crises could be termed a record response? – Yours, etc, KIERAN FLYNN, Ballinasloe, Co Galway. Sir, –It's very appropriate that the Letters page of Ireland's paper of record should record so many records. – Yours, etc, CIANA CAMPBELL, Ennis, Co Clare. Break time Sir, – It's holiday time, give yourself a break. Close your eyes, take a deep breath and visualise what the world would be like without Netanyahu, Putin and Trump. – Yours, etc, MICHAEL DUKE, Carlow.
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Excellent candidate' has Healy-Rae backing for Aras as frontrunner emerges to replace McGuinness after shock withdrawal
It is understood that the former Minister is considering their options NEW NAME 'Excellent candidate' has Healy-Rae backing for Aras as frontrunner emerges to replace McGuinness after shock withdrawal HEATHER Humphreys would make an 'excellent candidate' for Irish President, according to Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae. His comes come after the shock withdrawal of Mairead McGuinness from the race on health grounds. 2 Heather Humphreys could become Fine Gael's new selection to run for the Aras Credit: Gary Ashe-Commissioned by The Sun Dublin Former Cavan-Monaghan TD Humphreys has been given a 9/1 chance with bookmakers of moving into Aras an Uachtarain after the election later this year. Fine Gael have been left assessing their next move after McGuinness announced on Thursday evening that she would not be running. Today, Deputy Healy-Rae said he would 'wholeheartedly' back Ms Humphreys if the party nominate her. The Kerry TD said: 'I would 100 per cent be in her favour. She's a highly capable lady. 'She would galvanise others outside her party and would appeal to a wider base than Fine Gael. 'There are people up and down the country, from all parties and none that would support her. 'Her performance over the years, her policies, the way she carried herself and the way she answered questions would all work in her favour.' The former Minister for Justice and Minister for Social Protection retired from politics last year saying she wanted to spend time with her family, but is now understood to be considering her options. McGuinness said she was stepping aside due to health concerns. The Fine Gael Executive Council will meet in the next few days to discuss their plans. 'Sad to see him go' - GAA fans emotional seeing Michael D Higgins attend last men's All-Ireland final as President McGuinness said she took the decision on medical advice. Names previously associated with the candidacy also include Sean Kelly MEP and Frances Fitzgerald. HEALTH CONCERNS Following McGuinness's withdrawal, Tanaiste Simon Harris said that there is a great sense of shock in Fine Gael following her decision to pull out of the presidential race on health grounds. In a statement, McGuinness said the decision was not taken lightly, and followed a stay in hospital last week. Tanaiste Harris said McGuinness is a 'great colleague' and a 'great friend' and is somebody who has served her party and her country with distinction. He said while she had been working hard in preparation for the presidential election, her health has to come first. 'THE RIGHT DECISION' He said: 'It's absolutely crystal clear that on the basis of health advice, she is making the right decision.' McGuinness said she is taking the decision on medical advice, and it is the 'right decision' for her and her family. Her statement said: 'My priority now is my health. Given that the election is in a short couple of months, I do not believe that I have the strength to give the campaign my all.' Fine Gael leader Harris said the party will convene its executive council in the days ahead and consider the next steps on any potential presidential candidate. WELL WISHES Independent TD Catherine Connolly, who launched her bid for the Aras last month, said McGuinness's decision came 'as a shock'. She said: 'Without a doubt this decision could not have been an easy one for her to make. I would like to extend my best wishes to Mairead and her family at this time, and all the best for the future.' Fianna Fail has yet to decide whether it will run a candidate, while Sinn Fein is considering its options, with a decision to be arrived at in a few weeks. Businessman Gareth Sheridan has already launched his campaign for the Aras, and said he is confident he can be proposed and seconded by six local authorities after having secured the support of Tipperary and Laois county councils.
The Irish Sun
12 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Who are potential candidates for Ireland's next president after McGuinness' shock withdrawal & new businessman hopeful
The country is set to head to the polls before the end of this year RACE RESET Who are potential candidates for Ireland's next president after McGuinness' shock withdrawal & new businessman hopeful THE PEOPLE of Ireland are set to head to the polls later this year to vote in the next president of the country; however, who are this year's candidates? This year's election will see Michael D Higgins say goodbye to the presidency on 11 November 2025, after a 14-year term. 6 Michael D Higgins will say goodbye to the presidency after 14 years in office Credit: Getty Images - Getty 6 Mairead McGuinness unexpectedly withdrew from the race, citing medical grounds Credit: Reuters Advertisement 6 Businessman Gareth Sheridan could become the youngest-ever presidential election candidate Credit: Nutriband Higgins was initially inaugurated as president in 2011, and then re-elected in 2018. With the beloved public figure now set to step down, talk has turned to who will take his place as head of the Irish state. Presidential elections must be held in Ireland within 60 days before the current presidential term finishes in November. Advertisement However, there are certain criteria a candidate has to meet before they can be selected by a country-wide vote. Candidates must be an Irish citizen and 35 years of age or older. They must be nominated by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas, or at least four local authorities, with former or retiring presidents allowed to nominate themselves. In cases where just one candidate is nominated, he or she will be elected without a public vote. However, that is unlikely to happen this year. Advertisement And, with the race likely to pick up speed in autumn, we have outlined some of the potential runners for the 2025 Presidential Election. FINE GAEL Former EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness unexpectedly withdrew from the race yesterday, 14 August, on medical grounds. In a statement, the former Fine Gael candidate revealed that the decision was not taken lightly, and that it followed a stay in hospital last week. 'Sad to see him go' - GAA fans emotional seeing Michael D Higgins attend last men's All-Ireland final as President McGuinness had been front-runner in the election up to this point. Now, the party will have to decide how to respond to her unexpected departure. Advertisement While other Fine Gael names were previously linked to the race, many, such as MEP Sean Kelly and former Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald, have since withdrawn their names. Heather Humphreys was another name that had been mentioned in relation to the presidency. For the moment it remains unclear who will come forward to replace McGuinness as the Fine Gael candidate. THE 'LEFT' CANDIDATE Independent TD Catherine Connolly launched her bid for the presidency last month. Connolly has been steadily garnering support from left-leaning parties and TDs in recent months. Advertisement The Galway West TD currently has the backing of the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, the Labour Party, and several independent TDs Last month, Connolly told RTE's Raidio na Gaeltachta that she had already received the 20 nominations from Oireachtas members needed to stand in the election. On 31 July, it was revealed that Connolly had received the formal backing of the Labour Party. In an announcement, Labour TD Ciaran Ahern said: "At this evening's meeting, it was agreed that the Party should support Catherine Connolly as the left candidate for the presidency." He added: "While there are issues where we have differed with Deputy Connolly, we are determined that the social democratic values of equality, justice and tolerance should shape the presidency over the next seven years and follow the legacy of Michael D Higgins." Advertisement Connolly notably resigned from the party after she was denied the opportunity to run alongside Michael D. Higgins for the Galway West constituency in the 2007 General Election. She has also been critical of Labour during the party's time in government, once claiming the party had "lost its soul". SINN FEIN Sinn Fein has yet to announce if it will run a presidential candidate. First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill is seen as a likely candidate; however, party leader Mary Lou McDonald has refused to rule herself out of the contest. McDonald has repeatedly said that Sinn Fein is still considering its options and that a decision will be arrived at in a few weeks. Advertisement FIANNA FAIL Fianna Fail is similarly undecided as to whether it will enter this year's election. The party, which has not run a presidential candidate since 1997, may now decide to field a candidate in the wake of McGuinness's unexpected withdrawal. Likely candidates linked to the party include former TDs Peter Power and Mary Hanafin. GARETH SHERIDAN Businessman Gareth Sheridan is the latest person to announce his plans to run for the Irish presidency. The 35-year-old south Dublin native could become the youngest ever presidential election candidate, that is, if he manages to get on the ballot. Advertisement Sheridan, who told RTE he's running to be a "representative for everyone," needs the support of four local authorities to get on the ballot paper. The Tenure native has said he already has support in Tipperary and Laois county councils and that he is confident he can achieve the other four; however, he has yet to say which councils these will be. Founder of the major health company Nutriband, Sheridan has confirmed he will step back from his role as CEO of the company to pursue the presidential bid. Sheridan's company was valued at €100million in January. RIVERDANCE The 'King of Riverdance', Michael Flatley, is intending to seek a nomination to become Ireland's next president, a court was informed last month. Advertisement The choreographer's barrister made the announcement during a High Court case he has taken in relation to works carried out at his mansion in Co Cork, the Castlehyde. Barrister Ronnie Hudson notified the court of a 'material change in circumstances' for Flatley, and said he is to move back to Ireland within the next 14 days and look to run in the presidential election this autumn. An affidavit, signed by Flatley's solicitor Maxwell Mooney, was submitted to the court stating that the Irish-American is 'to seek nominations to run for president of Ireland'. Speaking to Brendan O'Connor on RTE Radio One prior to the courtroom revelation, the world-famous dancer said that he has been approached by many people and asked about his intentions. And he said: "I've not made the decision, but I have a team of advisers that are advising me on this. I have a huge business to run." Advertisement OTHER NAMES Former Chief Medical Officer, Tony Holohan, has said he is still considering his options. With McGuinness now out of the race, Holohan may now make a bid for the Aras. Businessman Declan Ganley could also throw his hat into the race. Ganley is understood to have been actively canvassing various independent TDs and senators looking for their backing in the upcoming election. While former MMA fighter Conor McGregor has spoken out about the presidency in recent months, it is unlikely he will run given his current ineligibility to get on the ballot. Advertisement 6 Michael Flatley has yet to rule himself out of running for the presidency Credit: Getty Images - Getty 6 With McGuinness now out of the race, Tony Holohan may make a bid for the presidency Credit: PA Media
