Senator Joan Freeman’s track record as a campaigner on mental health since was what prompted Fianna Fail councillors on Cork City Council to endorse her in seeking a presidential nomination, a member of the party has said. She received the backing of Cork City Council at a specially convened meeting of the council on Monday night when she got the support of some 14 councillors including nine members of Fianna Fail on the 31 member body. Fianna Fail Cllr Terry Shannon explained to The Irish Times that that party had decided to back Ms Freeman on foot of her track record in founding Pieta House a. In 2011, Cork City Council backed independent candidate Sean Gallagher for a presidential nomination, leading to speculation the council might again support him. She outlined her track record as a mental health campaigner and how the charity she founded, Pieta House had grown from humble beginnings .

Source: The Irish Times September 04, 2018 20:52 UTC