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Peter Casey to continue in presidential race

Presidential hopeful Peter Casey will continue in the race despite controversy over Traveller comments
Presidential hopeful Peter Casey will continue in the race despite controversy over Traveller comments Presidential hopeful Peter Casey will continue in the race despite controversy over Traveller comments

BUSINESSMAN Peter Casey has said he will remain in the Irish presidential race despite controversial comments made about the Travelling community.

He suspended his campaign last Friday after he drew criticism over the remarks.

The Derry-born businessman had claimed that Travellers should not be recognised as an ethnic minority because they are "basically people camping in someone else's land" and "not paying their fair share of taxes in society".

However, he is now expected to meet with his campaign team later today to discuss the final week of canvassing.

According to the latest polls Mr Casey is sitting on just two per cent.

Writing in the Sunday Independent yesterday Mr Casey said he was “hurt” by suggestions he is a racist and admits he “considered dropping out of the race” but said that he had received thousands of texts, emails and phone calls urging him not to quit.

Mr Casey said he "respected" the culture and traditions of Travllers and said he believed they should be viewed as Irish people.

“In fact, I believe if we all accepted them more as Irish, we would do so much more to remedy their long-standing problems, such as chronic unemployment, homelessness and a suicide rate that is six times the national average,” he wrote.