Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has ruled herself out of running in the Irish presidential election.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, she said her name was “no longer in the mix” and that she needed to “lead from the front” while in opposition.
She refused to rule out Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill as a potential candidate, but added that “we have options” and “everything is still in play”.
People in the Republic of Ireland are set to go to the polls on Friday 24 October to vote in the Irish presidential election.
McDonald said her effort “at this point in time” had to be in respect of “holding this government to account day and daily, building with my Sinn Féin colleagues and with colleagues beyond Sinn Féin a real alternative as and when the next general election occurs”.
She confirmed the party’s process of selecting a candidate for the presidential election was “still under way”, and a “final proposition” would be brought to members on 20 September.
She added: “We still have the option of a Sinn Féin candidate or backing another.
“Catherine Connolly is the candidate now in the field and certainly, prior to going to the Ard Chomhairle, we will look to meet with Catherine and her campaign team.”
It comes as 12 potential candidates are expected to come before Kerry County Council to seek support for a presidential nomination.
It is the first council to hear from aspiring independent presidential candidates.
