McGuinness rules out running for Dáil but may consider presidential race

POLL-TOPPING Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness will not run in the next Dáil elections but may consider mounting a bid to replace President Mary McAleese when her term ends in two years’ time.

The former agriculture journalist and broadcaster failed to win a seat in the 2007 general election when she finished in fifth place in Louth, some distance behind Sinn Féin’s Arthur Morgan who filled the last of the four seats in the constituency.

Speaking on RTÉ radio yesterday, Ms McGuinness stressed that she would not be a candidate in the next general election. She remarked: “This is not breaking news. I have said this consistently.”