GAA commentator Micháel Ó Muircheartaigh echoes Gay Byrne in ruling himself out of the race for the Áras. From the Irish Times report
Mr Ó Muircheartaigh last night announced that he would not be putting himself forward as a candidate but that he was honoured to be asked to run.
Speaking this morning, Mr Ó Muircheartaigh (81) said he had been approached by members of a number of political parties – which he declined to name – but that he had never considered himself a “contender”.
“I never said I was interested in being a candidate in the election….but out of respect for all those who offered support I had to consider it,” he said on RTÉ Morning Ireland . “I dissuaded all.”
As the BBC report notes
So far the only certain candidates for election in October are Fine Gael’s Gay Mitchell, the Labour Party’s Michael D Higgins, and the Independents Sean Gallagher and Mary Davis.
Both Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein have yet to confirm whether or not they will run a candidate.