O'Dowd to meet SF over Presidential bid

Presidential hopeful Niall O'Dowd has said he is meeting with Sinn Féin later today, as he makes a bid to become an independent candidate for the Presidency.

Mr O'Dowd said he met with Secretary General of Fianna Fáil yesterday and was "pleased" with the meeting.

The Presidential election will take place towards the end of the year and a number of hopefuls have thrown their name into the hat in recent days.

Former MEP Avril Doyle is expected to announce her intention to seek the Fine Gael nomination later today.