Ex-GAA boss Séan Kelly withdraws bid for Irish presidency

Séan Kelly made the announcement earlier on Monday, citing that he does not have the adequate support for the nomination

Former president of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Séan Kelly has announced he is "reluctantly" withdrawing his bid for the Irish presidential election.

Two weeks ago, the Fine Gael MEP declared his interest in seeking his party's nomination after the original candidate, Mairead McGuinness withdrew due to health reasons.

Those seeking to be on the ballot need the backing of either 20 members of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament) or four of the 31 local authorities.

On Monday, Kelly said despite "great engagement" with a number of party members, it is "clear" he does not have enough support to be the nominee.

"To have been selected as Fine Gael candidate for the most distinguished role in our country would have been the greatest honour of my life," he said in a statement.

Kelly said he was "humbled" by the level of support he received from some Fine Gael councillors, TDs and Senators.

"While I am of the view that a contest would be good and healthy for the party and was looking forward to one, unfortunately, after nearly two weeks of engagement, it is clear to me now that I will not be able to gather the required 20 nominations from the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party to contest the selection process.

"I have therefore, reluctantly, decided to withdraw my name from the process."

Ball 'didn't bounce in my favour'

Kelly said he was happy to have put himself forward for the role but "unfortunately the ball didn't bounce in my favour on this occasion".

He wished Heather Humphreys, a former cabinet minister from Cavan-Monaghan who confirmed her interest in seeking the party's nomination, well and pledged his support for her campaign.

Kelly's decision to withdraw leaves Humphreys as Fine Gael's sole candidate for the nomination.

The date for the Irish presidential election has not yet been announced, but it must be held before 11 November.

On Saturday, Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin announced his support for former Dublin gaelic football manager Jim Gavin as the Fianna Fáil candidate.

The party has not put forward a candidate since the election of Mary McAleese as the Republic of Ireland's ninth president.

Academic Deirdre Heenan, who was rumoured to seek Fianna Fáil's nomination, said she was not going to seek the presidency. The former Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) leader Colum Eastwood also ruled himself out of the race.

Independent TD Catherine Connolly is also set to contest the election, after her bid was backed by several left-leaning parties and a number of independents.

Sinn Féin has not confirmed whether it will run a candidate or back someone else, but speaking to the BBC in August, Mary Lou McDonald said her party would make an announcement this month.

What is the role of the Irish president?

Áras an Uachtaráin in Phoenix Park in Dublin is the official residence and workplace of the Irish president

The president of Ireland acts as the head of state.

It is a largely ceremonial role, representing Ireland at public events at the national and international level.

Only citizens residing in the Irish Republic have the right to vote in presidential elections.

To run for the office, you have to be an Irish citizen and aged over 35.