Sinn Féin plays down running son of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane as presidential candidate
Sinn Féin has played down the choice of North Belfast MP John Finucane as its Dublin Easter commemoration speaker, with sources saying it does not hint towards him being the party's nominee for the presidency later this year.
Mr Finucane, son of the murdered solicitor Pat Finucane, has been touted as a potential pick by Sinn Féin to contest October's election.
However, party sources have said he is unlikely to run and his appearance at Sunday's event was merely the party "rotating" speakers from year to year. Party leader Mary Lou McDonald addressed the party's annual Easter Rising commemoration in Carrickmore in Tyrone, having done the Arbour Hill commemoration last year.
Sources within the party said there was not yet any decision on who, or even if, the party would put forward a nominee to succeed Michael D Higgins later this year. There had been strong speculation linking Sinn Féin with the GAA President Jarlath Burns, but he ruled out such a move in February.
'Let me do that very clearly, that is not on my radar,' said Mr Burns.
'My plan when I finish this job is to go back to St Paul's, Bessbrook, to be principal of the school. That's the place I love, the place I miss, even though this is the best job you could possibly have, that's where I belong, that's where I belong anyway.'
There has been some speculation Sinn Féin would back a combined left-wing platform candidate, with Independent senator Frances Black and Independent TD Catherine Connolly touted as possible names.
Within Sinn Féin, however, there are some who say they would prefer not to back Ms Black, with some feeling she had become "too close" with the coalition parties in the lead-up to last year's general election in relation to her Occupied Territories Bill.
Others in the party feel the key priority for any combined platform is ensuring whoever is nominated can win.
In Fianna Fáil, MEP Barry Andrews has emerged as a potential candidate. Picture: Gareth Chaney
Within the coalition, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael sources have privately ruled out running a combined candidate, with Fine Gael in particular keen to win the office for the first time. Within that party, former European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness and former GAA president and current Ireland South MEP Seán Kelly are touted as potential candidates, with both said to be interested in a run.
In Fianna Fáil, MEP Barry Andrews has emerged as a potential candidate, though his colleague Cynthia Ní Mhurchú told RTÉ she was focused on her role and has not courted any support for a bid. Fellow Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Cowen last week said some parties had become "sidetracked" by the issue.
"I think I'm one of the few MEPs that is totally committed to the role to which I was elected without being distracted by wanting to be considered for that role," he joked.
To receive a nomination, prospective candidates are required to be nominated by 20 members of the Oireachtas, or nominated by four local authorities. To be eligible, they must be an Irish citizen and have reached the age of 35.
Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor has repeatedly expressed a desire to run for the presidency, but his path to a nomination appears unlikely, with both Oireachtas members and councillors across the board in recent weeks giving short shrift to the idea.
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