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Irish Independent
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Race for Áras heats up as Heather Humphreys is formally nominated as FG presidential candidate just hours after declaring candidacy
Ms Humphreys revealed earlier today how she had 'never felt as good' to re-enter the Irish political fray and seek the Fine Gael nomination to succeed President Michael D Higgins in November. The proud Monaghan native and holder of multi cabinet portfolios formally declared her candidacy this morning just a matter of months after announcing her decision to retire from public life for good at the last November. Just a matter of minutes after making her intentions clear, Ms Humphreys was formally nominated by Longford-Westmeath Fine Gael TD Micheál Carrigy. Follow Independent Longford on Facebook The Ballinalee postmaster and chair of the Fine Gael parliamentary party is widely viewed as being one of its fastest rising stars in a move that is likely to spark a hotly contested two week nomination process. Mr Carrigy said his decision to put forward Ms Humphrey's name had been largely determined by the former Cavan-Monaghan TD's long-standing cabinet career and by the all-inclusive approach she would bring to the role. 'During her time in national politics she has supported every community in Longford/Westmeath and indeed throughout the country,' he said. 'She will bring energy and enthusiasm to the role both nationally North and South and internationally.' Those remarks followed on from Ms Humphrey's own assertions and ambitions to use the Irish presidency as a conduit to facilitate 'reconciliation and understanding' on both sides of the border. 'We are living in an increasingly divisive world and I believe the president can be a unifying force in this country that really brings people together,' she said. 'I do want to deepen relationships between the people of this island, both north and south and I want to be a president a modern and outward looking Ireland with pride on the international stage.'
Sunday World
23-05-2025
- Sunday World
Prisoner avoids extra jail time despite being caught driving without insurance for 10th time
Twenty-nine-year-old John Baxter, Callanagh, Kilcogy, Cavan was handed down a five month sentence to run concurrently with a separate prison term he is already serving from courts in Cavan An imprisoned father of one who was caught driving without insurance for the tenth time just two weeks after being convicted and banned from driving for ten years won't spend another day behind bars despite picking up his 50th criminal conviction. Twenty-nine-year-old John Baxter, Callanagh, Kilcogy, Cavan was handed down a five month sentence to run concurrently with a separate prison term he is already serving from courts in Cavan following his appearance at a sitting of Longford District Court. Baxter appeared via video link to tender guilty pleas to no insurance and having no driving licence at Teffia Park, Longford on November 14, 2024. The Cavan based farmer was pulled in by gardaí following a check officers undertook on a vehicle which was spotted driving through the Longford town estate shortly before midday. Sgt Mark Mahon said when gardaí stopped the vehicle, it immediately became apparent that Baxter had no tax or insurance, anomalies the accused followed up with by openly admitting at the scene that he was a disqualified driver. John Baxter (29) was handed down a five month prison sentence to run concurrently to a sentence the Cavan man is already serving. Having pleaded guilty, details surrounding Baxter's previous 49 convictions were read out, among which included a series of offences for dangerous driving and nine for no insurance. Judge Bernadette Owens was told how Baxter had only been convicted at Cavan Circuit Criminal Court on October 30 and where he was banned from driving for 15 years. The court was told Baxter was presently serving a sentence picked up in Cavan and was due for release on April 23 next year. In defence, Bríd Mimnagh said her client's inability to drive had proved to be a major impediment behind his own attempts to work as a farmer. She said Baxter's past and latest road traffic offending 'is as it is' as she told of how Baxter had taken the ill-advised decision on the day to get behind the wheel and venture into Longford. Follow Independent Longford on Facebook 'The driving has effectively hampered him and unfortunately that day he took the opportunity to come to Longford to get something,' she said, adding that Baxter was someone who was of 'great assistance' to his mother at home. Judge Owens, having taken note of Baxter's release date next April and his guilty plea, sentenced him to five months in prison, a term she ordered to run concurrently with his existing sentence. Baxter was also banned from driving for 15 years with the second no driving licence summons being taken into consideration.
