FORMER EUROVISION WINNER AND MEP FOR THE WEST, CLAREGALWAY RESIDENT, DANA ROSEMARY SCANLON IS BELIEVED TO BE CONSIDERING THROWING HER HAT IN THE RING FOR THE PRESIDENCY

ITS COMES AFTER SENATOR DAVID NORRIS BOWED OUT OF THE RACE EARLIER THIS WEEK AMID A STORM OF CONTROVERSY.

DANA HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN CONTESTING ELECTIONS.

SHE HAS PREVIOUSLY RUN IN THE PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST, TWICE SHE CONTENDED IN EUROPEAN ELECTIONS AND IN A GENERAL ELECTION.

SHE BROKE INTO IRISH POLITICS BACK IN 1997 WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE IT TO THE ARAS AND SUCCESSFULLY WON THE NOMINATIONS OF FIVE COUNCILS BUT THEN FAILED TO WIN THE PRESIDENCY. IN THAT YEAR THE HIGHEST OFFICE IN THE LAND WAS SECURED BY MARY MCALEESE.

AFTER THAT SHE STOOD IN THE 1999 EUROPEAN ELECTIONS AS AN INDEPENDENT IN THE CONNAUGHT -ULSTER CONSTITUENCY AND WON A SEAT.

WHILE STILL AN MEP IN 2002 SHE OPTED TO CONTEST THE GENERAL ELECTION IN THE GALWAY WEST CONSTITUENCY. SHE FAILED IN THAT ATTEMPT SECURING JUST OVER 3 PERCENT OF THE VOTE.

HER ATTEMPTS TO RETAIN HER EUROPEAN SEAT ALSO FAILED IN 2004 WHEN SHE UNSUCCESSFULLY CONTESTED THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTION FOR THE WEST CONSTITUENCY.

WITH THAT LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE BEHIND HER - SHOULD DANA OPT TO SEEK A NOMINATION FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION NEXT OCTOBER  - SHE WILL KNOW QUITE WELL WHAT’S INVOLVED IN ANY SUCH CONTESTS.