Seán Kelly withdraws from Fine Gael presidential bid
By Cillian Sherlock, PA
Seán Kelly has “reluctantly” withdrawn from a bid to seek Fine Gael’s backing to run for president, having determined he will not reach the required nominations within the party.
Mr Kelly also expressed support for the remaining hopeful in the Fine Gael process, former party deputy leader Heather Humphreys.
Both had entered a race to secure the Fine Gael nomination, after the withdrawal of Mairead McGuinness in mid August “on medical advice”.
In a statement on Monday, Mr Kelly said it became clear to him that he would not reach the required 20 nominations from within the parliamentary party.
He said: “Two weeks ago, I was pleased to put my name forward as a potential Fine Gael candidate to contest the upcoming presidential election, having been strongly encouraged to do so by grassroots members and local representatives.
“To have been selected as Fine Gael candidate for the most distinguished role in our country would have been the greatest honour of my life.”
He added: “I am particularly grateful to councillors across my Ireland South constituency and elsewhere, to members of the Fine Gael National Executive, and indeed to my ’12 Apostles’ in the Parliamentary Party for the great support they have shown me.
“While I am of the view that a contest would be good and healthy for the party and was looking forward to one, unfortunately, after nearly two weeks of engagement, it is clear to me now that I will not be able to gather the required 20 nominations from the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party to contest the selection process.
“I have therefore, reluctantly, decided to withdraw my name from the process.”
Mr Kelly said he was aware this would be a “great disappointment” to his supporters, but added: “Unfortunately the ball didn’t bounce in my favour on this occasion.”
He said he would do anything he can to support Ms Humphrey’s campaign to win the presidency.
A presidential election is expected towards the end of October, as it must take place in the 60 days before the second term of President Michael D Higgins ends on November 11.
To be eligible to run, a candidate must be nominated either by 20 members of the Oireachtas or four local authorities.
So far, left-wing independent Catherine Connolly is the only candidate who has secured the backing needed to get on the presidential ballot paper.
The Galway TD has the backing of Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit-Solidarity and independents.
Sinn Féin has yet to announce whether it will support Ms Connolly or run its own candidate.
Fianna Fáil’s parliamentary party is expected to make a decision on the presidential election in the early autumn, with senior party figures expressing support for former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin.
Elsewhere, Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher announced his intention to seek the party’s backing and former taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has refused to rule himself out of the race.
Although figures such as MMA fighter Conor McGregor and Riverdance star Michael Flatley have said they are looking to run as presidential candidates, they would need to have this support to be on the ballot paper.
