Michael Flatley intends to make a presidential bid, a barrister for the Lord of the Dance choreographer has confirmed.
Barrister Ronnie Hudson notified the court on Friday of a “material change in circumstances” for Mr Flatley during a High Court case he has taken in relation to works carried out at his Cork mansion.
Mr Flatley is to move back to Ireland within the next 14 days and plans to run in the presidential election this autumn, his barrister confirmed.
The dancer, who is eligible to run as an Irish citizen, had strongly hinted at a presidential bid last weekend, but said he had not made a final decision.
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Mr Flatley told RTÉ Radio 1 last Saturday he may run “if I thought that I could be of benefit to the Irish people”.
An affidavit signed by Mr Flatley’s solicitor Maxwell Mooney was submitted to the court, stating the Irish-American is “to seek nominations to run for president of Ireland”.
An election for the largely ceremonial role is expected towards the end of October, as it must take place in the 60 days before outgoing President Michael D Higgins’s term ends on November 11th.
Those wishing to secure a place on the presidential election ballot paper must secure nominations from 20 Oireachtas members or four local authorities.
Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins has said his party is open to talking to Mr Flatley, as well as another possible candidate, former chief medical officer Prof Tony Holohan, should they seek nominations from Oireachtas members to enter the race.
In response to a query on his intentions and which route he would take – via Oireachtas members or councils – should he seek the nominations, Mr Holohan said: “I’ve been reflecting carefully on the possibility of contributing to public life in a different way.
[ Tony Holohan ‘reflecting’ on how to contribute to public life in futureOpens in new window ]
“I haven’t made any final decision and I’m taking time to consult with friends, family and others whose views I value,” he said.
“It’s a serious decision and I want to approach it in the right way. I’ve nothing further to add at this point regarding any specific path or timeline.”
The party has four TDs.
Mr Collins said on Sunday: “We’d be open to meeting everyone that wants to have a discussion with us,” while adding “they have to have a realistic chance” and prove they have 16 other votes.
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín did not say whether his party would be open to speaking to Mr Flatley about nominating him.
His party has three Oireachtas members.
Mr Tóibín said in recent days: “We have little knowledge of his political platform or his objectives.”
He said Aontú was not interested in talking to Mr Holohan, citing disagreements over the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In response to Mr Tóibín’s points, Mr Holohan said he respected the right of parties and public representatives to hold their own views and he understood there were “differing perspectives on how major public health crises are managed”.
“I’ve always done my utmost to act on the best public health and scientific evidence available, to communicate clearly and honestly and to protect public health and life,” he said.
The first declared candidates – former European commissioner and Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness and Independent TD Catherine Connolly – emerged earlier this month in the battle to succeed Mr Higgins.
[ Who is Mairead McGuinness, the early front-runner in the presidential race?Opens in new window ]
Ms McGuinness will be on the ballot paper with the support of her party, while Ms Connolly is set to be backed by the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and Independent Oireachtas members.
Labour is due to decide next week whether or not it will also support Ms Connolly’s candidacy for the presidency.
Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin are still deliberating on how to approach the presidential election.
Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has said he will not run himself.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has not ruled out the possibility that she could stand.
At the weekend, former Fianna Fáil minister Mary Hanafin, who has expressed an interest in running, said it would be “an insult” to the office of the presidency if her party does not run a candidate.
Ms Hanafin wrote to members of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party earlier this week asking for their support in any party contest for the presidency.
Additional reporting: – PA
