So far, three candidates are assured of enough support to have their names on the ballot paper in the presidential election taking place on October 24th. But who are they and what do they stand for? Watch our profiles below and navigate to read the full profiles by our political staff.
Heather Humphreys
Fine Gael has selected former minister Heather Humphreys as its candidate. Her upbringing in Co Monaghan, and background as a practising Presbyterian, will likely play a major part in the story Humphreys and Fine Gael aim to tell as she seeks to succeed Michael D Higgins as president of Ireland. Read Ellen Coyne’s profile of Humphreys here.
Jim Gavin
Fianna Fáil has chosen former Defence Forces officer, former Dublin GAA football manager and senior executive of Irish Aviation Authority Jim Gavin. Harry McGee notes that Gavin’s public persona is polite, serious, unruffled, and undramatic to the point of blandness. Read Harry’s full profile here.
Catherine Connolly
The Labour Party and Sinn Féin have decided to back Independent TD Catherine Connolly. A former Labour Party member, she has never held back when it comes to expressing her views, whether on Irish neutrality, women’s rights or the war in Gaza. Cormac McQuinn profiles the left-wing candidate here.
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The rest
Aspiring candidates need the support of 20 Oireachtas members or four local authorities to enter the race. A number of Independent hopefuls have been seeking support for their presidential bids include businessman Gareth Sheridan, and barrister Maria Steen. Sheridan failed to secure the support of four councils while Steen met TDs on Monday night to request their support as she scrambles to win the backing of 20 Oireachtas members before the close of nominations on Wednesday.
A number of candidates, including ex-MMA fighter Conor McGregor, Riverdance star Michael Flatley and former Met Éireann forecaster Joanna Donnelly have already pulled out of the race to the Áras.
