John Groarke, who farms 50ac in Tulsk, Co Roscommon, addressed Meath County Council this Monday to seek councillors' endorsement for his bid to become Ireland's next president.

"He was well received by the council," Cathaoirleach Tom Kelly told the Irish Farmers Journal.

"He certainly had a rural approach to his presentation," the councillor added, suggesting Groarke had emphasised "communities losing their village services such as post offices".

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However, his presentation "possibly could have been a bit more informed" with clearer details of his priorities, Cathaoirleach Kelly said.

Several candidates

Meath County Council heard from several candidates and is due to make a decision on any presidential endorsement next week.

Launching his presidential candidacy on Shannonside Radio last month, Groarke described himself as: "The smaller person that's entitled to have a crack at it too."

He listed homelessness and poor treatment in the health service among his priorities.

"If you're in suckler or sheep now, some people are nearly bankrupt," Groarke told the station's Joe Finnegan at the time. "That's basically what happened to myself."