JOURNALIST GEMMA O’DOHERTY has failed to secure enough nominations from county councils to get on the ballot for October’s presidential election.

Despite receiving her first nomination from Laois County Council earlier today, O’Doherty has run out of opportunities to get the four nominations required before the deadline this Wednesday.

Earlier today, Laois Today reported that four councillors voted for her nomination and thirteen abstained while two were absent.

The outlet reported that Cllrs Caroline Dwane Stanley (SF), Ben Brennan (Ind), Aidan Mullins (SF) and Paschal McEvoy (FF) each voted for O’Doherty.

Potential candidates need the support of four county councils or the backing of 20 Oireachtas members in order to contest the election.

Cork County Council voted against nominating O’Doherty today by a margin of five in favour, 28 against and six abstentions.

Galway County Council voted to support Joan Freeman in the upcoming election, while Kildare, Sligo and Donegal County Councils have all decided not to nominate a candidate.

The elected members of Kildare County Council have voted not to nominate a candidate for the Presidential election #Aras2018 — KildareCountyCouncil (@KildareCoCo) September 24, 2018 Source: KildareCountyCouncil /Twitter

Last week, 19 independent TDs and senators announced that they had failed to agree on a presidential nominee.

A statement issued by TD Michael Fitzmaurice and Senator Gerard Craughwell, who organised the meeting, said the group failed to reach a consensus following a “robust debate”.

However, the independent group of Oireachtas members could technically change their minds before the dealine and nominate O’Doherty or another candidate.

Earlier

Delighted to have received my first official nomination for #Aras18 at ⁦@LaoisCouncil⁩ this morning. Thanks to all of the councillors who supported me. Laois has shown itself to be a democratic county. #Gemma4Aras18 pic.twitter.com/gunTEGA1sC — Gemma O'Doherty (@gemmaod1) September 24, 2018 Source: Gemma O'Doherty /Twitter

In a Facebook post last night, O’Doherty had thanked a number of councillors who had promised her support.

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She had appealed to Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to “not block my vote this time”.

“I am really grateful to Cllr Ben Brennan for all of the work he has put into this, and to SF’s Aidan Mullins for his backing. I have also been nominated by Independents in Cork County Council,” she said.

The motion to nominate O’Doherty was put forward by Brennan who told TheJournal.ie that she is a person who “fights for what she believes”.

“We’re very pleased as she is an excellent candidate and she is entitled to put her name before the people,” he said.

With reporting from Adam Daly