DERRY businessman Peter Casey may be lagging at just 2 per cent in the presidential polls but his profile has been heightened by a series of controversial comments he has made over the last few weeks.
Mr Casey claimed last week that the State's recognition of the Travelling community as an ethnic minority was "a load of nonsense".
He also described Travellers as "basically people that are camping on someone else's land" and alleged they were "not paying their fair share of taxes in society".
He also claimed the Republic was becoming a "welfare state".
The businessman, who now lives in Greencastle, Co Donegal, paused his campaign on Friday following a backlash against his comments but yesterday resumed campaigning.
Mr Casey, who is the only candidate from the north, released a campaign video yesterday in which he criticised President Michael D Higgins' family's Bernese Mountain Dogs Bród and Sioda.
"Being President of Ireland you’d think Michael D would have an Irish Wolfhound, an Irish Setter, an Irish Water Spaniel or a Kerry Beagle," he said.
Mr Casey has repeatedly claimed that Mr Higgins has a €10,000 dog grooming bill which he charges to Irish taxpayers.
He has offered no evidence to support the claim.
Mr Higgins has rejected the allegation and said he personally pays for any costs associated with the family dogs.
Fellow candidate Sean Gallagher, who was raised in Ballyhaise, Co Cavan, a few miles from the border, caused controversy earlier this month when he claimed he would use the non-political role of president to campaign for a united Ireland.
"I think we will see a united Ireland in my life," he said.
