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Support for Martin Sheen as Irish president grows

Facebook drive as Irish media begins to take notice

JAMES O'BRIEN,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, August 16, 2011, 7:19 AM

Updated Tuesday, August 16, 2011, 11:17 AM

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36 Comments

Support for actor Martin Sheen to become the next Irish president has mushroomed on the Sheen for president Facebook page, reaching over 1,500 up from 300 on Monday.

A Sheen spokesman has told an Irish newspaper that they will issue a statement on the drive to have Sheen, an Irish citizen run in the election which will be held in late October.

Paddy Power bookmakers have slashed his odds as pressure builds up for the American actor who is an Irish citizen through his mother,Mary Ann Phelan, a native of Tipperary to run.

He is a frequent visitor to Ireland, has studied at University College Galway and has filmed several movies in Ireland.

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The drive for Sheen to declare has come after yet another front-runner Gay Byrne dropped out of the race and there were widespread calls for new candidates to come forward.

A twitter site dedicated to Sheen running soon became very popular and a facebook page followed.
The Irish media has also begun to take a Sheen candidacy as something that could happen.

Alison O’Connor writing in the Irish Independent stated “Who would have guessed that before the day had ended there would be a Hollywood angle to the whole thing, with hundreds of people having signed a newly established Facebook page to urge actor and Irish citizen Martin Sheen to be a candidate?......

"Lest we forget, the global human-rights activist has all that first-hand experience from playing US president Jed Bartlett in the phenomenally successful 'The West Wing'. It's bound to give him an added edge if he decides to head for the Phoenix Park."

Sheen would be running for a largely ceremonial job which has a seven year term. However, the last two incumbents Mary Robinson and Mary McAlese have made a major impact on the world stage.

Nster.com

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36 Comments

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STEVENSTAR | Apr 17, 2012, 07:32 PM EDT

ARE YOU PEOPLE ON DRUGS? WHY WOULD WE HAVE AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT IN IRELAND.. THE RUBBISH PRINTED IN THIS NEWSPAPER IS A JOKE IT GETS MORE LIKE THE ENQUIRER EVERY DAY LOL

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profjulienne | Aug 18, 2011, 03:16 AM EDT

Good morning, here in Ireland for a few weeks with my daughter staying with my brothers. Couple of comments, after a couple of weeks of listening to and reading about the yahoos (still love David N) considering the presidency, Martin Sheen bring it on!! Bring some of your intelligence, kindness and common sense here. Sad to think that there is not one candidate, here that makes the grade (in my opinion). The economy is terrible, it is sad to see just how far things have fallen in the past few years. Ireland is a great country and it is galling to see what has happened here. In the states (even though all of my family lives here), we are relatively immune to the true state of affairs. I know life is tough in the states, Boston Medical Center saw a 27% increase in malnourished children in the years since 2007, that is a benchmark for me and a sit up and really take notice. Forget the plonkers in D.C. and their ranting and raving, let President Obama do what he was elected to do, clean up the Reps mistakes. They are still at it. Not too impressed with the Dems childish ways either. Ireland has the stage ready for a comeback, todays news shows that. The Mary's are not going to be topped here so give Sheen a chance. Of all the Irish American populace, I cannot think of any one better suited. What is this about Michael Moore and Matt Damon? Puhleeeze. I am Obama all the way next year. I like to think that smart people could really see what is going on and vote with their brains and not their trigger fingers. My Euros worth or cents worth!!!!!!!!!!!1

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pilib04 | Aug 17, 2011, 09:43 PM EDT

Sheen would make a fine Uachtaran na hEireann.

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themurphia | Aug 17, 2011, 01:32 PM EDT

I know this because she tried to recruit me when I was a student...I don't think her membership of this group features large on her resume tho'...could be wrong..!

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themurphia | Aug 17, 2011, 01:18 PM EDT

That's Ivana not SIvana...!

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themurphia | Aug 17, 2011, 01:17 PM EDT

George:SIvana Bacik wasa member of the Critical Lawyers Group when she was a trainee (pupil) Barrister...A left wing radical pressure group...She is now a Labour Party hack and a fair weather feminist...She failed to get elected as a TD and is a member of the Trinity contingent of the Seanad the private club that produced Dorris for which the Irish public pay handsomely for the privilege of not being allowed to vote for the members...that's how left wing she is these days...!

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kinvara7 | Aug 17, 2011, 12:48 PM EDT

@George: Ivana Bacik is the current Reid Professor of Criminal Law, Criminology and Penology (1996), a Fellow of Trinity College Dublin and a practising Barrister. Ivana is Director of Undergraduate Teaching and Learning in the School of Law and teaches courses in Criminal law; Criminology and Penology; and Feminist Theory and Law at Trinity. Her research interests include criminal law and criminology, constitutional law, feminist theories and law, human rights and equality issues in law. Ivana Bacik was elected to the Seanad in 2007. She has published many books etc. (I believe her father came to Ireland from Eastern Europe; I thought you would like to know that given your views on such things). Mary Robinson was counsel in most of the constitutional cases where women's rights were vindicated. In various courts, Irish and European, she appeared on behalf of such causes as the ending of discriminatory treatment of women in selecting of Irish jurors, the granting of the franchise to 18 year olds, the protection of archaeological excavations from building developers, the equitable treatment of children born outside of marriage, etc. Anyway, I suppose your right about the meaningless and indeed merit-less designation of the position as Reid Professor; after all the two previous holders only managed to become president.

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themurphia | Aug 17, 2011, 11:41 AM EDT

ciaran:Then those resident in the 6 Counties need to petition for the right to vote...as the GFA says you are entitled to do...!

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ciaran1433 | Aug 17, 2011, 10:43 AM EDT

Ramón Gerardo Antonio Estévez (stage name: Martin Sheen) born in Dayton, Ohio can be elected president of Ireland yet Irish citizens living in the 6 counties are prevented from voting in this same election. Fianna Gael, Labour and Fianna Fáil of course are turning a blind eye to this issue. No surprises there.

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themurphia | Aug 17, 2011, 10:31 AM EDT

Vincent Browne debunks the Constitutional role of the An Uachtarain in todays IT...It is a figurehead with no more real political power that the UK Head of State...The Holy Marys were selected to satisfy the liberal agenda.

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GeorgeDillon | Aug 17, 2011, 09:53 AM EDT

TriciaG28: I wouldn't give much mind to that "Reid Professor" bit. It's not a real professorship. It's given to Trinity College female law graduates in their 20s. They don't have to do what a real Professor needs to do--publish piles of books and papers etc. before he's ever even considered. The current Reid Professor is some other nonentity who just happens to be a liberal, young, and a woman.

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longislander1940 | Aug 17, 2011, 08:33 AM EDT

Are the Irish people totaly DAFT?

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TriciaG28 | Aug 17, 2011, 04:55 AM EDT

Mary Robinson is a former Reid Professor of Criminal Law, Criminology and Penology at Trinity College and a Constitutional Lawyer. Mary McAleese is also a former Reid Professor of Criminal Law, Criminology and Penology at Trinity College, a barrister and journalist. This belief that the role of President is purely ceremonial is not entirely true. There are some discretionary powers that the President has that are bloody important! A clear understanding of the Constitution and not just to be blindly advised is also very important. The information is out there, go read it. Honestly, the idea of Martin Sheen, Gaybo or even Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh is just ridiculous not to mention embarrassing!

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themurphia | Aug 17, 2011, 04:11 AM EDT

His mother was IRISH...ergo he is entitled to Iirsh Citizenship...Tell you what you have 'Dorris' we'll have Martin...!

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Freeman | Aug 16, 2011, 07:21 PM EDT

De Valera was not Irish,Irish citizen yes ,he got the job though why on earth would an American want to be president of a bankruptcountry anyway....must be for sentimental reasons, pay check and a free rooom and food maybe.

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