Pressure mounts on embattled Norris
Senator David Norris today remained under pressure to drop his bid to secure a nomination for the Presidency amid disquiet over his plea for leniency for former partner Ezra Yizhak Nawi.
The embattled Senator is to hold a press conference at 3pm today at which he is expected to confirm whether or not he will continue to seek a nomination.
Norris' candidacy has been rocked by the revelation that in 1997 he wrote a letter to Israeli authorities urging a non-custodial sentence for his former partner, who was convicted of the statutory rape of a 15-year-old Palestinian boy.
Independent deputies Finian McGrath, John Halligan and Thomas Pringle announced yesterday evening that they were withdrawing their support for the Senator's Áras bid.
Barnardos Chief Executive Fergus Finlay - who had campaigned for the Labour Party nomination - today said Senator Norris should step out of the race.
Deputies Halligan and McGrath have also called on Senator Norris to end his run.
Senator Norris needs the signatures of 20 Oireachtas members, including his own, if he is to contest the race. Prior to the weekend revelations concerning the 1997 letter - which also prompted the resignations of several of his key campaign staff - some 14 TDs or Senators had declared their support for Norris.
Some are still sticking by him, including Independents Maureen O'Sullivan and Mick Wallace.
Deputy Stephen Donnelly, another Independent, said he is reserving his position until after the Senator's public statement.
