Jim Gavin inches closer to Fianna Fáil presidential nod with backing from six more TDs

Former Dublin GAA manager now has 31 public backers, compared to the five secured by Ireland South MEP Billy Kelleher

Three of the six Fianna Fáil backbench TDs who have come out in support of Jim Gavin — Ryan O’Meara (Tipperary North); Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North); and Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford) — speaking to the media on Wednesday. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins 

Former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin is inching closer to the Fianna Fáil presidential nomination, after receiving a further six endorsements.

Fianna Fáil backbenchers Naoise Ó Cearúil, Malcolm Byrne, Aisling Dempsey, Ryan O’Meara, Tom Brabazon, and Tony McCormack all confirmed they would be supporting Mr Gavin in the internal party contest.

It follows a meeting the six TDs held with Mr Gavin earlier on Wednesday.

Mr Gavin has now received 31 public backers, compared to Cork MEP Billy Kelleher’s five. 

To win the nomination, a candidate requires 36 votes.

The TDs were questioned on Mr Gavin’s campaign platform, as the former GAA manager has yet to outline his plans for the presidency to the public.

Jim Gavin speaking last October during a briefing at Croke Park on the GAA Football Review Committee which he chaired. File picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Mr Ó Cearúil said a key part of Mr Gavin’s campaign would be around “volunteerism”, highlighting his role as the chair of the North East Iner City Taskforce and his time in the Defence Forces.

“I’m confident that Jim Gavin is an extremely able and industrious person who has exemplified the positive attributes of Irish people and I’ve no doubt that he will bring a positive vision and a positive message next Tuesday,” Mr Ó Cearúil said.

Malcolm Byrne rejected accusations the six were just lining up behind Mr Gavin due to him being put forward by Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

“If Micheál Martin came forward with a dud, we would not be supporting a dud,” Mr Byrne said.

Mr Gavin's views on issues 

Mr Byrne said there was a discussion with Mr Gavin surrounding foreign affairs, including on his views on the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as the treatment of minorities in Ireland, including those from Indian and LGBTQ+ communities.

Mr Ó Cearúil said the TDs also asked questions surrounding Mr Gavin’s views on issues such as abortion and same sex marriage, however, he declined to give details of what the former GAA manager said on these topics.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the presidency itself was not about any one political party.

“It was created actually to be above the party political realm,” Mr Martin said.

He added any candidate must be able to receive support from as broad a base as possible.

Meanwhile, the Fine Gael presidential nominee Heather Humphreys has committed to learning Irish if she is elected as President.

Ms Humphreys said while she was able to speak a “cúpla focal”, she didn’t use Irish after leaving school.

“I passed Irish in my Leaving Cert and, like a lot of people in this country, I went out to the world of work and didn’t use Irish,” Ms Humphreys.

“I promise that if I am elected as President, I will return to the Gaeltacht and I will learn Irish,” Ms Humphreys said.

Meanwhile, a number of TDs have indicated they would be willing to back presidential hopeful Maria Steen get a nomination.

Aontú are set to have their local councillors back her in any prospective council vote, and Independent TD Carol Nolan said she would give Ms Steen her “full support” within the Oireachtas.

However, multiple Independent sources indicated there would not be sufficient support to get Ms Steen nominated through the Oireachtas – which requires 20 TDs or senators.