Mayo woman rules herself out of Presidential run after weeks of speculation

Which faces will be staring back at voters from the ballot paper next month is becoming clearer by the day. 

So far, Independent Catherine Connolly, Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys and Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin have been confirmed as candidates for the highest office in the land. 

Rose Conway-Walsh has been the only Mayo name in contention so far.

She had previously made history in 2009 as the first woman Councillor elected in Belmullet since the foundation of the State. 

However, after weeks of speculation, the Sinn Féin TD has told The Mayo News that  she is “not looking to run but will do what needs to be done.”

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“I am honoured to be considered for the office of President. Right now Mayo and my frontbench position of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, as well as Chairing Defence and National Security Committee are my priority.”

It remains unclear at the moment whether Sinn Féin will field a candidate now that Conway-Walsh and Mary Lou McDonald have ruled themselves out. It is also possible that the party will put its support behind Independent candidate Catherine Connolly. 

Having ruled herself out, Sinn Féin’s Spokesperson on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment said that “our process is still ongoing until September 20 and we are exploring all the options.  We believe this election is winnable, that means keeping FF/FG from having full control of all the institutions of the state.”