Over the past few months, the number of people who have definitively ruled themselves out of the running to be Ireland’s next President is considerably longer than those (Conor McGregor and Peter Casey and Nick Delehanty) who have confirmed at least a passing interest in the job.
It is telling, I think, that one of the easiest and best paid jobs in Ireland has, thus far, attracted so little interest. Michael McDowell, who would have been a formidable candidate, has ruled himself out. So too have Heather Humphries and Frances Fitzgerald, who might have been expected to be definite contenders had either sought the Fine Gael nomination. Barry Andrews eschewed what was apparently a solid chance to take the Fianna Fáil nod. Mairead McGuinness, who remains most observer’s favourite for the gig, has curiously refused to confirm an interest, even though her entrance to the race would surely scare off at least some prospective competitors.
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