Snowdrops and daffodils at Áras

A CLOSE aid to defeated European election candidate Dana Rosemary Scanlon last night remained tight-lipped about whether she would run for president against Mary McAleese.

Speaking from Rome, Dana’s brother and close advisor John Browne declined to confirm whether the former Eurovision star would run.

“Only she can confirm that. I can’t confirm that on her behalf,” he said.

Dana herself, who is suffering from a severe stomach bug, could not be contacted last night.

However, it is understood she is seriously considering running and will make a final decision by the end of next week. Dana’s team is not expected to make a formal announcement until President McAleese announces her intentions later this summer.

Mr Browne said there were several factors, including her opposition to the new European Constitution, that would serve to rule Dana into the contest for president.

The Dana camp is hopeful the public would punish President McAleese for failing to oppose the new EU constitution.

“It claims primacy over Ireland’s Constitution and the role of the president is to defend the Constitution. That’s the sole purpose of the president,” said Mr Browne.

Dana is also said to be concerned about the prospect of President McAleese running unopposed, effectively as a Fianna Fáil nominee, although she has indicated she will likely run as an independent.

In losing her European Parliament seat 11 days ago, Dana received 58,000 first preference votes in the North West constituency and more than 20,000 transfers.

Although not enough to secure her European seat, Dana’s campaign is confident the North West figures can provide a secure base from which to fight a presidential campaign.

Dana placed third in the last presidential election, winning 179,000 votes and finishing 15% ahead of the Labour candidate Adi Roche.

But Dana’s supporters believe that the large protest vote, apparent in the local elections, would have nowhere else to go in a presidential poll and would swing in her favour even if Labour's Michael D Higgins were to run.

As an independent candidate Dana would first need to be nominated by four county councils or 20 members of the Oireachtas.