After a campaign that saw one presidential candidate fish a golf ball out of water for climate change and another refuse to debate his components, the Presidential campaign concludes this Friday. Citizens will vote on whether or not to re-elect the current President of Ireland for another term or choose a new candidate.
One candidate who has unapologetically targeted the current President Michael D Higgins is businessman Peter Casey.
Casey, one of three Dragons running for the presidency, shared a campaign video on Twitter targeting Higgins’ dogs Bród and Shadow, Bernese Mountain dogs that originate from Switzerland. Casey, the least popular candidate on the polls, claims Higgins dogs cost the Irish taxpayer €10,000 annually. The twenty-second clip, narrated by an American, goes on to question why Higgins, an Irish President, does not own an ‘Irish’ dog breed:
Vote No 1. Peter Casey #Aras18 #PeterForPresident #APresidentForUsAll pic.twitter.com/ak1qBYn4Rk
— Peter Casey (@CaseyPeterJ) October 22, 2018
According to The Independent, Higgins denies the claims that the taxpayer pays for Shadow and Bròd. Higgins has accused Casey of running “black advertisements” that are “imported from the United States” during the campaign.
Collectively scratching their heads, voters turned to Twitter to bark their concerns over the bizarre video:
I think i’ll be voting for the bernese mountain dogs instead 😉 A lot more to offer than you
— Darragh J Bourke (@bourkedarragh) October 22, 2018
Did you do that voice over yourself Peter?
— Brian Hayes (@galwayfan) October 22, 2018
This just in: Huge protests in Dublin about President Higgins’ dogs not being Irish#aras18 pic.twitter.com/I7bwLl4yLf
— Annie West (@anniewestdotcom) October 22, 2018
Worth pointing out that President Higgins has repeatedly said he pays for his dogs’ grooming himself. Peter Casey is merrily Trumping his way toward losing his deposit on Friday. #Aras18
— Donal O’Keeffe (@Donal_OKeeffe) October 22, 2018
The Irish presidential campaign has now descended to a candidate having a go at Swiss dogs. #aras18 #peak2018 https://t.co/znLBFFecNr
— John Cotter ?????????? (@John_Cotter) October 22, 2018
Will someone please think of the children. Leave the dogs out of this. #aras18 #whatajoke https://t.co/f8XCrieXu8
— Caroline (@carolineoflion5) October 22, 2018
I didn’t think politics in 2018 could get any weirder until Peter Casey really went and questioned the fact that Michael D’s dogs aren’t an ‘Irish’ breed.
Even dogs can’t escape this nonsense.#Aras18 pic.twitter.com/BTqszLntPB
— Mike Comerford (@ComerfordMike) October 22, 2018
Casey has come under fire for in recent days for his comments about the Irish traveler community and for those receiving social welfare payments.
Yesterday Higgins was spotted walking Shadow and Bród on the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin and the pair seem unfazed:
When you bump into the Irish President on your evening stroll. Such a gent ? and a wonderful representative, I wouldn’t entrust anyone else with the role @MichaelDHiggins for #Aras18 pic.twitter.com/94MlIMGmCn
— Elaine Egan (@ElaineEgan_) October 21, 2018
