Michael Healy-Rae rules himself out of presidential race after rumours

James Cox

Michael Healy-Rae has ruled himself out of the presidential race after speculation that he could make a bid for Áras an Uachtaráin. 

Speaking on RTÉ’s Saturday with Colm Ó Mongáin, the Minister of State ruled himself out.

It came after a BreakingNews.ie interview with former minister Ivan Yates, who said Mr Healy-Rae could be a "dark horse" in the presidential race.

Mr Healy-Rae said he had a "very clear focus" on serving as a TD for Kerry.

When asked about rumours of a run from Michael Flatley, Mr Healy-Rae said he is an “excellent ambassador for our traditions of dance and music”. 

He added: "“He’s a person that I know personally, and he’s a very, very nice gentleman. I wish him every good luck in every endeavour that he would ever had, but you can be sure of one thing, whatever name is going to be on that piece of paper, it’s not going to be me.”

In the interview, Mr Yates said: "One name I've picked up with my political antennae, who people believe would win if he ran is, believe it or not, Michael Healy-Rae.

"What people said to me was, if there has to be another candidate other than Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Catherine Connolly, what about Michael Healy-Rae?

"This is from talking to people from all sorts of background, when I put it to them what do you think of the mad idea that the guy with the cap would run? They immediately said to me, both rural and Dublin, 'oh if he ran, he'd win'.

"The Healy-Raes are seen as doers, it's distinctive. Even second generation people in Dublin would see the merit in it, and that he has not only name recognition but a brand as well."