Irish presidential candidate insists he could defeat a horse-sized duck using judo Sean Gallagher had no hesitation – insisting he would take the feathery foe out at the knees

When it comes to choosing a presidential candidate, there are many characteristics that are desirable: a natural authority, for example, or an ability to bring the country together at difficult times.

But has there ever been a president that’s been confident he could take down a horse-sized duck in one-on-one combat?

That’s the claim made by Sean Gallagher, the businessman running to replace Michael D Higgins as President of Ireland in elections in November.

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Newstalk Radio’s Sean Moncrieff asked the hopeful an age-old question as part of his media rounds: “Would you rather fight a hundred duck-sized horses or a horse-sized duck?”

Gallagher didn’t hesitate.

Take them at the knees

“Oh, one horse-sized duck,” he responded immediately. “I studied karate and judo for 20 years.

“One opponent, take them at the knees, off you go.”

The job of President is largely ceremonial, replacing the Queen’s position in Irish politics once the country gained independence, but Gallagher certainly seems to have his mind on practical matters.

“Very hard to fight loads of little opponents all around the place,” he continued.

Moncrieff responded: “Good point – and a horse-sized duck would have very weak knees, I would have thought.”

“Yes, yes,” said Gallagher. “Go for the knees, the lowest point.”

Quadricep injury

Perhaps related or perhaps not, Gallagher was forced to make a campaign stop in hospital after tearing a quadriceps in his own knee – blaming an accident at the gym rather than a gargantuan, feathery foe.

President Higgins remains the frontrunner in his bid for a second term, with a recent poll showing him at 66 per cent in a field of six.

Gallagher, who came to prominence as a judge on the Irish version of Dragons’ Den, is in second place at 12 per cent. He also ran in 2011, when his chances collapsed after he accidentally referred to receiving an “envelope” – shorthand in public consciousness for a bribe – during a live presidential debate.

Unexpectedly, there are two other Dragons’ Den judges also in contention, Gavin Duffy and Peter Carey – who has received backlash for anti-Traveller and anti-Semitic remarks, and is coming last in the polls.

Sinn Féin’s Liadh Ní Riada and campaigner Joan Freeman round out the list.