Latest news with #GarethSheridan
Irish Examiner
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Sarah Harte: When positivity meets reality, sometimes you have to choose
Last week, I had to stay positive when several challenges presented themselves. As my own humdrum existence was unfolding, I followed Gareth Sheridan's candidacy for the presidential election, watching him being buffeted by searching questions and probes. He is, by any metric, a positive person, a quality I generally admire. The origin story for his wealth and success is a familiar one of hard work, gumption, self-sacrifice, and a supportive partner willing to set off on the hero's journey with him. It's the primary narrative arc we are fed in American movies and self-help books. Sheridan seems like somebody who would live his life by positive nostrums extracted from those self-help business books. He is also only 35. He is now seeing the dark side of the bright side. Headlines like Sheridan plays down, Sheridan denies, Sheridan minimises links to… While the political arena is widely acknowledged to be gladiatorial, I don't enjoy watching people being torn asunder. I imagine we have lost out on highly qualified presidential candidates because they smoked some dope in college or nicked some money from the collections box in the church when they were small, or took an ill-advised photo on a wild night out where they departed from their otherwise sane existence. We have swapped places with America. Now, they can have presidents with limited personal morals and rap sheets as long as their arms, but here you have to be a paid-up shining beacon of puritanical morality with a flawless family, which used to be the case in America. We all have relatives we hope stay in the background. Some of us are luckier than others in this regard. A balance in what we ask of Irish presidential hopefuls would be positive. Anyway, at the weekend I came across a quote in American writer and Pulitzer Prize finalist Adam Haslett's new book Mothers and Sons. A character says, 'There's this myth that we're endlessly elastic. It's propaganda. Capitalist, patriarchal propaganda. Stay positive! Work hard! Find that extra little efficiency that lets you do more and more in less time... Because if you try hard enough, anything is possible, and we're never going to die, so there's always time. But there isn't.' Blunt but true. Gareth Sheridan may be learning his hero's journey is more complicated than he first conceived. When he graduates to a later stage, he may realise there is no hero's journey. There is hard work for sure. A modicum of intelligence helps. Even more helpful is a degree of self-knowledge; this one is harder to come by, especially for those with entrepreneurial drives. The very thing that drives them on can be the thing that prevents them from accepting defeat or even identifying or acknowledging their own personal weaknesses. Putting a positive spin on everything does not get you through every situation and can be toxic. Those who do not learn this often go on to cause great destruction around them because this over-positivity derails a person's ability to be in touch with reality, facts, and feelings appropriate to the given moment. These characters' tragedy is that they are often talented in their way. But no amount of knockbacks can stop them from chugging on, and it often ends badly for anyone hapless enough to be in their path. As I write this, an image of the Black Knight in Monty Python's The Holy Grail flashes through my head. All his limbs hacked off by King Arthur, he threatens: "I'll bite your legs off." Rational people are required sometimes to accept defeat, acknowledge regret, fold the tent and go home to lick their wounds. When you're at home reflecting on what you could have done differently, one comfort should be the fact there is no heroic journey. There is a limited degree of control over your destiny. Hard work, intelligence, strategy, and ambition play a part here. And then there is good and bad luck. We don't think about this too much because we'd go mad if we focused on the random nature of chance. We go around the place pretending things can't change, like clicking our fingers. Safety is an illusion. Three occasions last week required me to reflect on random bad news (hopefully this will come out the right way), random good luck in making it through an unexpected bad luck situation, and on the harsh reality of a persistent failing of mine. Parking the first one, the random bad and good luck one was that I was eating a steak on Saturday night, when I, quite literally, nearly choked to death — such a simple thing. Eating too quickly (blame a brain that was stressed and speeding), eating a too-big bite of steak (blame greed), and the steak obstructed the larynx. I couldn't breathe and staggered to my feet, wondering, Is this how it ends. My random good luck came into play in that I was eating with a restaurateur who calmly got up and swiftly and effectively administered what used to be called the Heimlich manoeuvre. It is now called an abdominal thrust. The steak (and other stuff, I'll spare you) rocketed out of my mouth. I felt fortunate she was there, and she didn't break my ribs (she's very strong). Although what's a few broken ribs compared to the alternative? Google Maps has its merits, particularly in the city, where it can be a Godsend, but it does mad things in rural Ireland, sending you down crazy routes. What I also appreciated was that the people I was eating with didn't put a ceaselessly positive spin on what happened when it wasn't called for. It was a close shave, and like stunned mullets, we acknowledged the reality. The reality of a personal lacking and where it leads me, never mind time wasting, came into play on the way back from Ennis to Cork, where I had been working. Basically, I have no sense of direction. I own it. There's no sugar-coating this or saying, well, all things considered, you did pretty well. It's like a chip is missing in my brain. This has led me down many long, winding roads, as it did last week. I will say the multiple road closures across the country, with no alternative routes signalled (thanks), played their part. Google Maps has its merits, particularly in the city, where it can be a Godsend, but it does mad things in rural Ireland, sending you down crazy routes. The app needs to get a handle on this. We don't want to drive down famine roads that are overgrown for centuries or cling to the side of cliffs. When it happens, I try to stay positive. I begin thinking, 'Ah, the Irish countryside is beautiful on this sunny day.' 'You never drove through Broadford before.' 'It was a chance to see Kanturk (three times).' This always wears off and leaves me feeling defeated. I face the fact that the odyssey will culminate in a late arrival home and barely suppressed mirth from family members and sly questions about what took me so long. It's called reality, and it's always better to be acquainted with it, whatever the context, big or small, personal or even presidential. Positivity will only get you so far.
BreakingNews.ie
17 hours ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Sean Gallagher: I will ‘reflect' on claims of attack on presidential hopeful
Former presidential candidate Sean Gallagher said he will 'reflect' on comments made by Gareth Sheridan, who claimed he has been the victim of a 'co-ordinated attack' on his character. Mr Sheridan, who launched his official bid for the presidency last week, claimed that the 'attack' was carried out by people associated with Mr Gallagher. Advertisement Mr Sheridan made the claims about his former business partner at his campaign launch in Dublin city centre. Mr Gallagher left Mr Sheridan's multimillion-euro pharmaceutical company, Nutriband, after serving as chairman from 2017 until 2021 after the company decided to replace him. Presidential candidate Gareth Sheridan and his wife, Heidi, at the official launch of his campaign at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin. Photo: Cate McCurry/PA. The 35-year-old is hoping to run as an independent candidate, and is seeking nominations from local councils to get his name on the ballot paper. At the opening of his campaign launch, Mr Sheridan said: 'There seems to be somewhat of a co-ordinated attack taking place on my character by people associated (with), and in, Sean Gallagher's circle. Advertisement 'I'm not saying for a moment that Sean is behind this or is involved in any way. 'For a couple of days now, we've been receiving essentially copy and paste question lists with minimal time to respond from various different outlets with the exact same questions. Something just seems a little off.' He went on to say that somebody is 'taking our break-up a little bit worse than me'. Speaking on Tuesday morning, Mr Gallagher said the comments do not require a reaction, but a response. Advertisement 'I was away for the last couple of weeks. Firstly, down in Clare and on the Aran islands with my wife and kids, and then last week abroad in the sunshine,' he told the Joe Finnegan Show on Northern Sound radio. 'I made a bad mistake of heading away when the sunshine was arriving in Ireland. So, truthfully, I was more concerned about keeping my bald head protected from the sun than I was about watching what was happening in the election. 'But it has been drawn to my attention for sure. So, rather than react to the comments – I think it doesn't require a reaction – more a response. 'I will reflect on what was said and I am gathering that at the moment, and then I'll decide on what to respond. But that is, as we all know, part of the electioneering that goes on.' Advertisement Mr Gallagher, who previously contested the presidential election in 2011 and again in 2018, has ruled himself out of the upcoming election. Ireland Fine Gael set for contest as Kelly and Humphreys s... Read More He said: 'You can rest assured, my name will not be going forward. I am not running. 'I'm very focused on business and a lot of the other activities I'm involved in, and so I'm very committed in that space. 'I think it is great that there are more people coming forward, and I think there are more to come.' Advertisement
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
John Downing: Millionaire mogul Sheridan must overcome his controversies before he can be a credible presidential candidate
Past presidents have included lawyers, teachers, academics and journalists, but businesspeople have never been successful The business route to Áras an Uachtaráin is the one less-travelled. This makes us ponder why a heavy-hitter in international commerce like Gareth Sheridan wants to switch to being a ribbon-cutter at civic occasions. In its near 90-year existence, the office of Irish president has never had a business titan win the Áras. That simple fact is further highlighted by the number of controversies that have descended upon the millionaire pharma mogul in the days after he confirmed his presidential ambitions, as first unveiled in the Sunday Independent, at Tullamore Show last Sunday.
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Business
- Extra.ie
I married to get a Green Card to the States, admits pharma boss Sheridan
Presidential hopeful Gareth Sheridan has admitted he secured American citizenship as a result of a 'green card' marriage. And if elected Ireland's youngest ever head of State, the millionaire businessman said he has no intention of giving back the citizenship he obtained under controversial circumstances. Describing how he became a US citizen following his campaign launch this week, Mr Sheridan said: 'We got married initially in America, then we had our big ceremony back in Kildare. Our initial wedding was more of a means to stay together – more I would get my Green Card, essentially.' Pressed further about his marriage to his American-born wife Heidi, he replied: 'Yeah exactly, it was solely [to get a Green Card], we would have had to split up. 'Heidi and I were very serious at that point. We said we would jump the gun on what we already discussed would be a wedding in our near future. 'I think absolutely I will hold onto it [American citizenship]. I travel on my Irish passport. I am an Irish person before anything else.' Gareth Sheridan at the Tullamore Show. Pic: Alf Harvey If he were to win, Mr Sheridan would be the first president since Eamon de Valera to have US citizenship. The Dublin-born businessman made the admission in an interview a day after he launched his campaign on Thursday. He is hoping to get on the Presidential ticket by persuading members of four local authorities to nominate him as a candidate. According to the pharma businessman, two people on four local authorities have agreed to propose and second him as a potential candidate, and he claims to have had a favourable response from four other councils. But he will need the approval of four councils to enter the race. Independent Senator Sharon Keogan is helping his campaign. Born on Dublin's southside, Gareth Sheridan grew up in Terenure and was educated at the fee-paying Terenure College. After studying at the Dublin Institute of Technology he emigrated to America, where the father of one made his fortune through his company Nutriband, which developed a range of products using patches to administer vitamins and other medications. Gareth Sheridan with his wife Heidi and daughter Róe at the Tullamore Show canvassing Susan Leonard, from Pettigo, Co Donegal. Pic: Alf Harvey After selling the company, he then rebought the business, and the company has since developed a patch to administer painkillers. However, the company has been linked to controversies, some of which were highlighted this week as Mr Sheridan prepared his Presidential launch. The young businessman and a business partner were both fined $25,000 by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for providing misleading information about some of their company's products. Three associates involved in Mr Sheridan's company – Serguei Melnik, Sergei Glinka, and Vitalie Botgros – have found themselves at the centre of separate corruption investigations in Moldova and Romania. There have also been allegations of money laundering, suitcases of cash, creditors being left without their money and threats to national security. Mr Melnick was a shareholder in a company that took over the Republic of Maldova's flag carrier, Air Moldova. But after the deal went through, the Moldovan equivalent of the Criminal Assets Bureau seized the assets of both firms amid claims of 'large scale money laundering' and 'fictional transactions'. Mr Melnick is currently at the helm of Nutriband while his business partner is on the campaign trail to become Ireland's next President. It has also been reported that authorities in Romania are investigating their colleague, Sergei Glinka, over a deal that may pose national security concerns. Both Mr Glinka and Mr Botgros worked for a now-sanctioned Russian railway company called Makhmudov, which has been linked to the sanctioned Russian billionaire, Iskander Makhmudov. Asked about his three associates who have found themselves at the centre of various corruption probes and allegations, Mr Sheridan first defended them by claiming their backgrounds had been checked by various regulators. Gareth with his wife Heidi and daughter Roe. Pic: Instagram @gareth_sheridan But he was unable to give assurances that he did thorough background checks on his business associates. And when asked if the three men, who have a major stake in his company, are 'squeaky clean', the millionaire replied: 'Well, I don't know' – before adding: 'If the narrative is that I have some sort of Russian ties, it's absolutely 100% categorically false. I'm saying [I'm] nowhere near it – 100%, not tied to any of that. I'm getting [described as] 'Russian stooge' in one sentence and 'MAGA [Make America Great Again] enthusiast' on the next. 'I mean, that doesn't mesh very well, but I'm a proud Irishman who wants to do a good job and that's what I am.' Mr Sheridan moved back to Ireland with his wife Heidi and the couple's adopted daughter Roe in February after deciding late last year to put himself forward as a candidate to succeed President Michael D Higgins. Despite making housing his campaign pitch for the Áras, the 35-year-old admitted he does not have a solution of how to solve the crises that bedevilled successive governments. 'Well, I don't have the answers to it right now. Collectively, as a country, we need to bring in more voices on it, particularly the younger generations. 'Wouldn't it be a beautiful thing if the younger generations' energy, enthusiasm and entrepreneurship was involved and paired with all the experience of the older generations?' Asked why he is seeking the ceremonial role of President rather than trying to make a difference on the ground by contesting local or Dáil elections, he replied: 'I'm not a politician. It depends on how you look at it – what I'm trying to do is encourage younger participation. If they feel they have a figurehead that they can relate to and represents them. 'One person going into the Dáil, if it was me – to try and enact changes doesn't happen, but encouraging a whole generation of people to now pick up interest and feel like they have a voice, then we're setting a movement.'
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Why does a young, successful entrepreneur like Gareth Sheridan suddenly want to press pause and run for president?
35-year-old's Áras hopeful's firm Nutriband is at a critical stage in its evolution. Now he wants leave it all behind. Why? Today at 00:30 From legal rows to boardroom bust-ups, potential presidential candidate Gareth Sheridan's pharma firm, Nutriband, has been no stranger to controversy over the last decade. The Nasdaq-listed, opioid pain-relief patch company, set up by Sheridan in Dublin back in 2012 and now headquartered in Florida, has already been embroiled in a long-running court battle in the US, where it claimed to be the victim of a fraud that saw it hand over shares valued at $47m (€40m) in 2019.
