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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.
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Mary Lou McDonald is tipped for the job
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A Sinn Fein source said it would be no harm politically supporting Catherine Connolly
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Sinn Fein's Pearse Doherty could also be a contender
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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.'
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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.'
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Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill
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