Davis bemoans 'dirty' campaign

Independent candidate Mary Davis has said she had no regrets about contesting the presidential election.

Speaking to reporters at Dublin Castle tonight, Ms Davis, who finished last in the poll with 48,657 first preference votes, said the campaign had at times been “dirty” and was more challenging than she expected.

A number of questions were raised over the course of the campaign about Ms Davis’s appointment to State and commercial boards, her relationship with businessman Denis O’Brien and her use of airbrushing on campaign posters.

“I knew going into the campaign that it was going to be difficult,” she said.

“I didn’t go into the campaign with my eyes closed for sure. It was more challenging at times than I expected. It was a dirty campaign, there’s no doubt about that, you can see that yourselves.”

Ms Davis said she was disappointed with the outcome of the election but was not disheartened or discouraged by the experience.

“I’m very proud of the fact I put my name forward,” she said. “I’m an ordinary citizen and was totally independent in standing and I am proud of that.”

She also said that she hoped her involvement might encourage more women to step into public life. “Hopefully I have led the way for others to be courageous enough to stand up and go forward.”

Asked if she would consider running for the presidency again, Ms Davis said she was not going to make any decision yet. “It’s far too early…I’m going to have a good rest. I’m on leave of absence from my job.”

During the campaign, Ms Davis said she expected to spend more than €200,000 and up to €350,000 on her candidacy. Her share of the vote, at 2.7 per cent, will not allow her to claim back her electoral expenses.