Kelly seeks Fine Gael nomination for president

FINE Gael MEP and former GAA president Seán Kelly said he would like to be his party’s candidate for president of Ireland.

The 58-year-old Kerry man publicised his interest through Twitter, saying: “I was flattered beyond response when my name was first mentioned for Uachtarán na hÉireann. Now it’s getting serious and so am I.” The former teacher said he would hope that Fine Gael would nominate him, but he would not put the party under pressure.

“I will not cut across anything the party wants to do,” he said but added that he has been approached by many people to enter. He first entered politics last year when he won a European Parliament seat in the South Constituency, at the expense of sitting MEP and party colleague, Colm Burke.

Mr Kelly, who has four children, said he had gained wonderful experience and a broader perspective in Europe over the past 15 months, and with his previous role in the GAA and opening up Croke Park he would “hope to give some inspiration and hope to the people of Ireland at a time when we need it badly”.