Heated exchange overshadows Longford council meeting as no presidential hopeful is backed

Longford County Council voted not to support any candidate in the upcoming presidential election today during a special meeting despite conservative campaigner Maria Steen being nominated.

The barrister by profession was initially supported by Independent Cllr Mark Casey and seconded by Cllr Turlough McGovern.

However, following a vote it was decided that the local authority would not be supported her or any of the other 20 presidential hopefuls who had requested to speak to county councillors.

Details also emerged during the special meeting that Independent Maria Steen and Fianna Fáil Cllr Mick Cahill had been involved in a heated clash before she delivered her pitch.

Ms Steen, a mother of five, said she was 'saddened' by a meeting she had with an unnamed Fianna Fáil councillor who was later identified as Cllr Cahill.

The Colehill-based representative, who categorically denied her accusation and whose daughter is in a same-sex marriage, said Ms Steen approached him ahead of entering the chamber and he informed her he would not be supporting her.

"What I said to her in the canteen area was not actually hostile and if she interpreted that as being hostile she has a good bit to learn about politics."

Longford County Council representatives then decided and voted not to back any candidate.

Among the other unsuccessful presidential hopefuls who addressed councillors was Independent Peter Casey who finished second to President Michael D. Higgins in 2018.

He proposed making a county councillor a full-time job and increasing pay for local representatives in line with 'teachers and nurses'.

READ NEXT: PICTURES | Longford school celebrates Leaving Cert excellence as ten students honoured

READ NEXT: Bon voyage: Talented Longford singer and musician setting off on big Australian adventure