Mary Hanafin Withdraws from Presidential Race Amid Fianna Fáil Discontent

Former Minister and Fianna Fáil Deputy Leader Mary Hanafin has announced her withdrawal from the presidential race after the party’s leadership publicly endorsed Jim Gavin as its candidate. Hanafin, who had expressed interest in succeeding Michael D. Higgins, criticized the party for its lack of communication regarding the nomination process, stating that she learned of the decision through the media.

On Saturday, Micheál Martin, the Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil, confirmed his support for Gavin, the former manager of the Dublin Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) football team. This endorsement came as a surprise to Hanafin, who had been preparing to launch her campaign and felt sidelined by the party’s decision-making process.

Hanafin expressed her frustration during an appearance on RTE’s Brendan O’Connor show. “Unfortunately, in Fianna Fáil, you tend to learn a lot in the newspapers,” she said, reflecting on how she discovered the leadership’s preference for Gavin. Following a holiday, she returned to find her potential candidacy overshadowed by Gavin’s endorsement. “I said, ‘Well, that’s it’,” Hanafin remarked, indicating her disappointment.

In a conversation with Martin prior to the announcement, Hanafin claimed that he had encouraged her to pursue her campaign, highlighting a disconnect between their discussions and the party’s eventual actions. “I would have given the job absolutely everything, and I think I could’ve carried it off,” she stated, emphasizing her commitment to the role.

The internal dynamics within Fianna Fáil have become increasingly complex, with Billy Kelleher, a Cork MEP, unexpectedly launching his own bid for the party’s nomination. Kelleher has been actively reaching out to fellow TDs and Senators to rally support, indicating a growing sense of urgency within the party as it seeks to solidify its candidate ahead of the upcoming election.

Several prominent party members have publicly endorsed Gavin, including Ministers Jack Chambers and James Lawless. Even Dara Calleary, a Minister from Mayo, has set aside regional rivalries to support Gavin, reflecting the broad consensus within the party leadership.

At a recent event in County Kerry, Martin articulated his belief in Gavin’s suitability for the presidency, stating, “I believe in this era he is the person best placed to represent the Irish people as president.” He further noted that Fianna Fáil has previously nominated candidates without prior experience as TDs or ministers, referencing past presidents like Mary McAleese and Douglas Hyde.

With the nomination process underway, the atmosphere within Fianna Fáil appears tense, as party members navigate their support for a candidate amidst Hanafin’s abrupt exit from the race. The party’s leadership is now under pressure to unify its strategy as the election approaches, ensuring it remains a competitive force in Irish politics.