Bertie Ahern rules himself out of presidential election race

Michael Bolton

Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has ruled himself out of the presidential election.

Mr Ahern said he did not want to run as an Independent, but accepted he would not be the Fianna Fáil candidate.

He told reporters last week he was not ruling out a bid after repeatedly seeking answers as to whether Fianna Fáil would support his bid.

With Mr Ahern out of the contest, this leaves just former Dublin manager Jim Gavin and Cork MEP for Ireland South, Billy Kelleher in contest for the party’s nomination.

Mr Gavin has received 31 endorsements from Fianna Fáil TDs, senators, and MEPs, while Mr Kelleher has five public endorsements.

The internal contest will be decided by a vote by secret ballot at a parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday.

Mr Ahern had only one public backer, Donegal senator Niall Blaney.

To win the party’s nomination, a candidate must secure 36 votes.