Bertie Ahern presidential bid would have been 'bruising' for him, says Martin

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

If Bertie Ahern had been chosen as Fianna Fáil’s presidential candidate, it would have been “bruising” for him, Micheál Martin has said.

The Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader was speaking after dealing with the fallout of his party’s presidential candidate, Jim Gavin, dramatically withdrawing from the race.

The move came after the Irish Independent reported claims from a tenant who said he had failed to recover more than €3,000 in overpaid rent from Mr Gavin 16 years ago.

Fianna Fáil members have been expressing their disappointment and frustration since, prompting questions about Mr Martin’s leadership as he had publicly backed Mr Gavin over party politicians.

Mr Martin said he accepted the desire from his party that they would run a candidate.

“I did recommend that, I’m not responsible for everything that unfolded, obviously, because we would have been totally unaware of the issue despite very comprehensive due diligence,” he told the Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk.

He said, before the summer recess, they did not have a candidate and “no one” in the party expressed an interest in running for the presidency until the end of July.

Mr Martin said this included MEP Billy Kelleher, who would go on to contest against Mr Gavin for the party’s election nominee.

He narrowly lost to Mr Gavin in early September in a vote by the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party.

Others who have said publicly they wanted to win the Fianna Fáil nomination include former Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern; former Fianna Fáil minister Mary Hanafin; and former singer and campaigner Bob Geldof.

“I don’t think Bertie would have made it, nothing against Bertie at all, I have great respect for Bertie Ahern because of what he did for the peace process,” he said.

“It’s one of the single greatest achievements in Irish society, that peace process, and he deserves huge credit for that.

“It would have been incredibly bruising for him. I don’t know why he would want to bring it upon himself.”

He said Mr Gavin’s issue was one issue and one situation and referred to the “enormity” of what would be “churned out” against Mr Ahern.

Asked about a query Fianna Fáil received from the Irish Independent on September 8 about a tenant issue with Mr Gavin, Mr Martin said: “‘Are you aware of’ was the type of question and the answer was, ‘no, we’re not’.”

He said the issue was put to Mr Gavin, and he denied it.

Mr Martin said: “There were other rumours as well, and this is very difficult for people who put themselves forward.”

He said he had not spoken to Mr Gavin since Sunday, but he would.

“I feel very sorry for him. It’s been very traumatic for him because this is a man who has achieved a lot.”

Mr Gavin’s withdrawal less than three weeks before polling day means his name will remain on the ballot paper.

Just two candidates are left in the race for the presidency: left-wing independent Catherine Connolly, who is backed by various opposition parties, including Sinn Féin; and Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys, a former social protection minister.

Polling day is on Friday, October 24.