Third runner joins race to lead Greens

A THIRD Green candidate has emerged as a challenger for the party leadership, with former minister Eamon Ryan and Kilkenny councillor Malcolm Noonan joined by general election candidate Phil Kearney.

Nominations for the position of leader to succeed former minister John Gormley closed last Friday ahead of the election which will conclude in just over three weeks.

Green chairman and former senator Dan Boyle confirmed on Facebook recently he would not seek the leadership, despite widespread speculation that he was likely to put his name forward. “As party chair I feel I have a responsibility to ensure choice in this election and that any election is conducted fairly,” he said. Mr Boyle will chair an upcoming three-way debate between the candidates.

Mr Kearney, a psychotherapist and farmer, is a member of the party’s national executive committee. The party’s deputy national co-ordinator, he was an unsuccessful general election candidate in the Dublin Central constituency and has contested the local elections on two occasions.

Mr Ryan served as minister for communications, energy and natural resources in the last government since 2007, when the Greens went into coalition with Fianna Fáil, but lost his Dublin South Dáil seat in February. He was first elected as a TD in 2002.

Mr Noonan sits on Kilkenny County Council and Kilkenny Borough Council, having recently concluded his term as mayor of Kilkenny city. He has been an environmental activist for 20 years.

The three candidates had to collect 50 member nominations each in order to put their name forward. Eligible party members have until May 27th to return postal ballots which will be distributed shortly.