Special Olympics chair announces presidential candidacy
Special Olympics organiser Mary Davis said the next Irish president must rebuild the country’s role in the world as she declared her intention to run for the post.
Ms Davis is seeking a nomination from local authorities to stand as an independent candidate in the upcoming race to replace President Mary McAleese in Aras an Uachtarain.
The former teacher and community worker is best known for bringing the Special Olympics to Ireland in 2003 while she was chief executive of Special Olympics Ireland. It was the first time the games were hosted outside North America.
Ms Davis said her present role dealing with dozens of countries as managing director of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia underlined her ability to take a highly-active role on the international stage.
She said: “Today, the global community is sceptical about Ireland. For Ireland, this has to change.
“Ireland needs a strong advocate globally because Ireland has a strong story to tell – in Washington, in Brussels, in London, Paris and Berlin.
“It has never been more important to ensure that the voice of our country is heard by those of influence, never more important to have as president a person who can bring the real story of Ireland to the wider world.”
A Mayo native, Ms Davis was formerly a special needs teacher in St Michael’s House in Ballymun, Dublin.
Married with four children, she has served on the Council of State, which advises the president, since her appointment by Ms McAleese in 2004.
