Sean Kelly Claims ‘Shafted’ by Fine Gael’s Candidate Process

UPDATE: Sean Kelly, a contender for the Fine Gael presidential nomination, has publicly expressed his deep frustration, stating he felt “shafted” by the party’s selection process. This urgent revelation comes after Kelly’s withdrawal from the race, following the nomination of Heather Humphreys as the party’s candidate.

Kelly, who entered the nomination race alongside Humphreys after Mairead McGuinness withdrew due to health concerns, voiced his disappointment on Monday. He indicated that party members were left feeling “disappointment” and “utter depression” over the nomination’s outcome.

“I think they were disappointed with the way the nomination process was handled,” Kelly remarked, emphasizing the rapid shift in support toward Humphreys. Within just an hour of both candidates declaring their intentions, the majority of the Fine Gael parliamentary party quickly rallied behind Humphreys, effectively sidelining his candidacy.

Kelly asserts that he was obstructed from bringing his potential candidacy to a vote among local councillors. “I think I’d have had a great chance of winning,” he stated. He raises critical questions about the motivations behind the party’s swift endorsement of Humphreys, suggesting, “You have to ask yourself why was there such a determined effort to stop me from getting the nomination?”

Reflecting on the events, Kelly highlighted that some members of the parliamentary party had initially encouraged him to run, only to retract their support shortly thereafter. “When I got back to them… they said: ‘Sorry Sean, we can’t nominate you’.” This abrupt change of heart has left Kelly questioning the party leadership’s transparency and decision-making processes.

In light of the recent election results, where Humphreys garnered less than half the votes received by the victorious left-wing independent candidate, Catherine Connolly, Kelly’s comments raise serious concerns about Fine Gael’s internal dynamics. He stated, “As they all said, ‘two great candidates,’ but one was anointed and the other was shafted, essentially.”

Regarding the future of Fine Gael’s leadership, Kelly expressed cautious support for current leader Simon Harris, acknowledging that the decision ultimately lies with the party’s membership. However, he insists that the selection process must undergo reflection and improvement. “Things weren’t handled as well as the membership would have liked,” he added, underscoring the need for a change in approach moving forward.

As the party grapples with the aftermath of this contentious nomination process, all eyes will be on how Fine Gael responds to these criticisms and whether changes will be implemented to restore confidence among its members. For now, Sean Kelly emphasizes the importance of moving forward, stating, “I’m going to get on with my life and I’m not going to let it upset me too much.”

This developing story continues to unfold as members of Fine Gael navigate the implications of their nomination process and its impact on future leadership. Stay tuned for updates as this situation evolves.