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Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Former Dublin footballer Michael Darragh Macauley steps down as CEO of Sanctuary Runners
The eight-time All-Ireland winner, who has worked for Dublin's Northeast Inner City (NEIC), took over from Sanctuary Runners' founder Graham Clifford a year ago. The former Dublin GAA star will conclude his time with the Sanctuary Runners in the coming weeks. 'I've had an amazing year at the helm of this very positive movement,' Macauley said. 'I've made the difficult decision to move on to other projects, but I am still very committed to the power of community integration through sport. 'Although I will no longer be Chief Executive, I plan to continue to show solidarity in my Sanctuary Blue and I truly value the great friendships I've made all around the country,' he added. Sharing the news on LinkedIn, he said it had been an 'absolute privilege' steering the blue ship for the past year. Sanctuary Runners was named 'Community Organisation of the Year' at this year's Irish Red Cross Humanitarian Awards under his stewardship. Anna Pringle, Chair of the Board of Sanctuary Runners, said: 'We have been honoured to have Michael Darragh as CEO during an exciting time for Sanctuary Runners where we have expanded our reach in Ireland and internationally. 'Michael Darragh brought a great understanding of community integration with him and built relationships throughout the Sanctuary Runners movement and helped us to grow. 'We wish him the very best in his future career.' The Board of Sanctuary Runners will now launch a recruiting process to appoint a new CEO.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Sinn Fein to decide on candidate for presidential run in WEEKS as Mary Lou McDonald tipped to ‘give up Taoiseach dream'
A top Sinn Fein source said McGuinness' departure has thrown the Aras race wide open PREZ TALKS Sinn Fein to decide on candidate for presidential run in WEEKS as Mary Lou McDonald tipped to 'give up Taoiseach dream' SINN Fein have yet to make a decision on whether to run a candidate in the presidential election or back the Left's nominee Catherine Connolly. The party is carrying out private polling to see if leader Mary Lou McDonald has a serious chance of winning if she runs. 5 Mary Lou McDonald is tipped for the job Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 A Sinn Fein source said it would be no harm politically supporting Catherine Connolly 5 Sinn Fein's Pearse Doherty could also be a contender Credit: � 2025 PA Media, All Rights Reserved Senior party figures didn't think she could beat former EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness, who pulled out of the race for health reasons last week. A top Sinn Fein source said McGuinness' departure has thrown the Aras race wide open. The party expects to make a call on their nominee by the end of the month. And if they do decide to run a candidate it has to be one of their top tier people - either Mary Lou, Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill or their finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty. The source said: 'There is no point in running anyone except one of our top three people. Otherwise, we are wasting our money and our time. There is a growing view that it would political suicide to look at any other candidate bar them and we expect to make a decision by the end of August. 'My own gut feeling is Mary Lou has a great chance if she runs — but then she is giving up her dream of being Taoiseach. The source added: 'It would do us no harm politically supporting Catherine Connolly, because it would result in most of the left wing parties co-operating behind a political name for the first time ever. 'If we're going to win the next general election and form government with other left wing parties then staying out of the presidential race might not be a bad idea.' 'Sad to see him go' - GAA fans emotional seeing Michael D Higgins attend last men's All-Ireland final as President Fianna Fail have also not decided whether to run their own contender. It is understood Taoiseach Micheal Martin is not too excited about the names being mentioned so far - Bertie Ahern, Mary Hanafin and Maire Geoghan Quinn. Insiders dismissed suggestions that Munster MEP Cynthia Ni Mhurchu could run, saying she is still learning her trade and enjoying her stint in Brussels. Another name being mentioned is former newsreader Senator Alison Comyn. She has made a big impression with the party leadership since arriving in Leinster House via a nomination of Micheal Martin. HUMPHREYS TOPS POLL And Heather Humphreys would lead the presidential race if she announces her candidacy, a new poll has found. The former Fine Gael minister, who has said she would give 'serious consideration' to running, would garner 19 per cent of votes, a snap Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks study showed yesterday. Ms Humphreys polled at 19 per cent, with Catherine Connolly on 18 per cent and potential candidates Mary Lou McDonald and Bertie Ahern on 14 per cent. However, the research showed there is all to play for as some 28 per cent of voters are still undecided. Ms Humphreys' is also preferred to potential runner Sean Kelly, with voters showing 21 per cent support for her over 17 per cent for Mr Kelly in a Fine Gael list. Ms Humphreys' possible campaign gained traction yesterday as party heavyweight Frances Fitzgerald said she would 'make a fantastic President'. The former minister and MEP added: 'She'll be a strong voice for integrity, vision, and unity in Ireland. If she steps forward, she'll have my full support.' 5 Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill Credit: Pacemaker Press
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Who are potential candidates for Ireland's next president after McGuinness' shock withdrawal & new businessman hopeful
The country is set to head to the polls before the end of this year RACE RESET Who are potential candidates for Ireland's next president after McGuinness' shock withdrawal & new businessman hopeful THE PEOPLE of Ireland are set to head to the polls later this year to vote in the next president of the country; however, who are this year's candidates? This year's election will see Michael D Higgins say goodbye to the presidency on 11 November 2025, after a 14-year term. 6 Michael D Higgins will say goodbye to the presidency after 14 years in office Credit: Getty Images - Getty 6 Mairead McGuinness unexpectedly withdrew from the race, citing medical grounds Credit: Reuters Advertisement 6 Businessman Gareth Sheridan could become the youngest-ever presidential election candidate Credit: Nutriband Higgins was initially inaugurated as president in 2011, and then re-elected in 2018. With the beloved public figure now set to step down, talk has turned to who will take his place as head of the Irish state. Presidential elections must be held in Ireland within 60 days before the current presidential term finishes in November. Advertisement However, there are certain criteria a candidate has to meet before they can be selected by a country-wide vote. Candidates must be an Irish citizen and 35 years of age or older. They must be nominated by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas, or at least four local authorities, with former or retiring presidents allowed to nominate themselves. In cases where just one candidate is nominated, he or she will be elected without a public vote. However, that is unlikely to happen this year. Advertisement And, with the race likely to pick up speed in autumn, we have outlined some of the potential runners for the 2025 Presidential Election. FINE GAEL Former EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness unexpectedly withdrew from the race yesterday, 14 August, on medical grounds. In a statement, the former Fine Gael candidate revealed that the decision was not taken lightly, and that it followed a stay in hospital last week. 'Sad to see him go' - GAA fans emotional seeing Michael D Higgins attend last men's All-Ireland final as President McGuinness had been front-runner in the election up to this point. Now, the party will have to decide how to respond to her unexpected departure. Advertisement While other Fine Gael names were previously linked to the race, many, such as MEP Sean Kelly and former Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald, have since withdrawn their names. Heather Humphreys was another name that had been mentioned in relation to the presidency. For the moment it remains unclear who will come forward to replace McGuinness as the Fine Gael candidate. THE 'LEFT' CANDIDATE Independent TD Catherine Connolly launched her bid for the presidency last month. Connolly has been steadily garnering support from left-leaning parties and TDs in recent months. Advertisement The Galway West TD currently has the backing of the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, the Labour Party, and several independent TDs Last month, Connolly told RTE's Raidio na Gaeltachta that she had already received the 20 nominations from Oireachtas members needed to stand in the election. On 31 July, it was revealed that Connolly had received the formal backing of the Labour Party. In an announcement, Labour TD Ciaran Ahern said: "At this evening's meeting, it was agreed that the Party should support Catherine Connolly as the left candidate for the presidency." He added: "While there are issues where we have differed with Deputy Connolly, we are determined that the social democratic values of equality, justice and tolerance should shape the presidency over the next seven years and follow the legacy of Michael D Higgins." Advertisement Connolly notably resigned from the party after she was denied the opportunity to run alongside Michael D. Higgins for the Galway West constituency in the 2007 General Election. She has also been critical of Labour during the party's time in government, once claiming the party had "lost its soul". SINN FEIN Sinn Fein has yet to announce if it will run a presidential candidate. First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill is seen as a likely candidate; however, party leader Mary Lou McDonald has refused to rule herself out of the contest. McDonald has repeatedly said that Sinn Fein is still considering its options and that a decision will be arrived at in a few weeks. Advertisement FIANNA FAIL Fianna Fail is similarly undecided as to whether it will enter this year's election. The party, which has not run a presidential candidate since 1997, may now decide to field a candidate in the wake of McGuinness's unexpected withdrawal. Likely candidates linked to the party include former TDs Peter Power and Mary Hanafin. GARETH SHERIDAN Businessman Gareth Sheridan is the latest person to announce his plans to run for the Irish presidency. The 35-year-old south Dublin native could become the youngest ever presidential election candidate, that is, if he manages to get on the ballot. Advertisement Sheridan, who told RTE he's running to be a "representative for everyone," needs the support of four local authorities to get on the ballot paper. The Tenure native has said he already has support in Tipperary and Laois county councils and that he is confident he can achieve the other four; however, he has yet to say which councils these will be. Founder of the major health company Nutriband, Sheridan has confirmed he will step back from his role as CEO of the company to pursue the presidential bid. Sheridan's company was valued at €100million in January. RIVERDANCE The 'King of Riverdance', Michael Flatley, is intending to seek a nomination to become Ireland's next president, a court was informed last month. Advertisement The choreographer's barrister made the announcement during a High Court case he has taken in relation to works carried out at his mansion in Co Cork, the Castlehyde. Barrister Ronnie Hudson notified the court of a 'material change in circumstances' for Flatley, and said he is to move back to Ireland within the next 14 days and look to run in the presidential election this autumn. An affidavit, signed by Flatley's solicitor Maxwell Mooney, was submitted to the court stating that the Irish-American is 'to seek nominations to run for president of Ireland'. Speaking to Brendan O'Connor on RTE Radio One prior to the courtroom revelation, the world-famous dancer said that he has been approached by many people and asked about his intentions. And he said: "I've not made the decision, but I have a team of advisers that are advising me on this. I have a huge business to run." Advertisement OTHER NAMES Former Chief Medical Officer, Tony Holohan, has said he is still considering his options. With McGuinness now out of the race, Holohan may now make a bid for the Aras. Businessman Declan Ganley could also throw his hat into the race. Ganley is understood to have been actively canvassing various independent TDs and senators looking for their backing in the upcoming election. While former MMA fighter Conor McGregor has spoken out about the presidency in recent months, it is unlikely he will run given his current ineligibility to get on the ballot. Advertisement 6 Michael Flatley has yet to rule himself out of running for the presidency Credit: Getty Images - Getty 6 With McGuinness now out of the race, Tony Holohan may make a bid for the presidency Credit: PA Media
