Gareth Sheridan denounces Fine Gael's block on council nomination of independents as "poor judgment"

"The Harris diktat block is unprecedented, undemocratic and an affront to the Constitution," Sheridan said.

Presidential hopeful Gareth Sheridan has spoken out against Fine Gael's move to ban its councillors from nominating Independent candidates.

Sheridan, who is seeking a nomination for the 2025 presidential race as an Independent, called the block "an unprecedented attack on democratic process, the Constitution and local government" in a statement issued yesterday.

On Saturday, Fine Gael leadership told its 246 councillors they cannot facilitate the nomination of any candidate other than the ratified Fine Gael candidate and that if there is any vote to back an Independent, they must "oppose that nomination."