16/09/2011

Sinn Fein To Announce Aras Candiate

It is expected that Sinn Fein will name its candidate for the presidential election.

It is understood that Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness and former Stormont Minister Michelle Gildernew are among candidates.

Elsewhere Fianna Fáil Senator Labhras O'Murchu has said he is confident that he has strong support to run as an Independent candidate for the Aras.

Fianna Fáil is to decide next Tuesday whether to allow TDs and Senators a free vote to support a presidential candidate of their choice.

A six-hour party meeting to decide on who to support broke up without agreement last night with TDs and Senators split over the prospect of backing Senator O'Murchu.

Mr O'Murchu, who is 71, will need the backing of 20 members of the Oireachtas to run.

He is rejecting suggestions that he is only trying to get on the ballot paper to hurt the campaigns of David Norris and Sinn Féin.

Meanwhile Senator David Norris is to appear on 'The Late Late Show' this evening, when he is expected to outline his reasons for re-entering the race for presidency.

He withdrew his bid for presidency in early August after the publication of a controversial letter he wrote seeking clemency from an Israeli court for a former partner facing a charge of statutory rape.

But Mr Norris met with a group of Independent TDs and Senators in Leinster House at yesterday where he once again asked for presidential support.

(LB/GK)




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