Bertie Ahern rules out presidential bid as Fianna Fáil leadership backs Jim Gavin

Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern speaks to the media during an event for the 50th anniversary of Eamon De Valera's death, at Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said it would not have been possible to secure a nomination to run for the presidency while Fianna Fáil's leadership backs Jim Gavin.
Mr Ahern was formally ruled out of the presidential race on Thursday evening after a recorded conversation with supporters confirming his plans to drop out was made public.
In the recorded conversation, Mr Ahern said he believed he could have been a good President.
However, he opted against running, saying he did not believe it would be possible to get a nomination while Fianna Fáil’s leadership pushed strongly for another candidate — Mr Gavin.
Mr Ahern said the leadership wanted a candidate “20 years younger” and from outside the party.
However, he said he believed Mr Gavin shared the “values” of Fianna Fáil.
“I’ve never seen a period where the leadership really lose out on these things,” Mr Ahern said.
While he said the option of standing as an independent was “open” to him, he never considered it due to his role as a former Fianna Fáil leader.
“I respect the Fianna Fáil legacy far too much to even consider that independent [candidate] idea,” he said.
Mr Ahern said the current Fianna Fáil leader and Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, was “anti” him because of issues surrounding the Mahon Tribunal.
He claimed there were “untruths” in the public domain about his character and that a new generation had been told falsehoods about him.
“These falsehoods have not dissipated and in fact have sometimes intensified, pushed by a handful and reached a new generation. I think that’s not good.”
The tribunal report in 2012 found Mr Ahern had failed to “truthfully account” for money he deposited in his bank account during his time as finance minister between 1991 and 1994.
Mr Ahern has always rejected these findings.
During the conversation, Mr Ahern said the report findings were “unfair” and “inaccurate.”
“It’s one that I cannot and never will accept. I’ve said that umpteen times.
“I gave the tribunal truthful evidence and reject completely any suggestion that I’d done otherwise.”
Mr Ahern added: “Friends of mine gave money, not any robbers or crooks or gangsters. Friends of mine all went to the tribunal and gave evidence that they did, all explained the money.”
The former taoiseach sought party approval last year to be a candidate in October's presidential election but received no response from senior party figures.
He told reporters last week he was not ruling out a bid after repeatedly seeking answers on whether Fianna Fáil would support him.
Mr Ahern had been linked with a possible run for the presidency for several years, with the former taoiseach repeatedly declining to set out his position.
With Mr Ahern out of the contest, only former Dublin manager Jim Gavin and Cork MEP Billy Kelleher remain in the race for the party’s nomination.
Mr Gavin has received a total of 31 endorsements from Fianna Fáil TDs, Senators and MEPs, while Mr Kelleher has five.
Mr Ahern had only one public backer, Donegal Senator Niall Blaney.
To win the party’s nomination, a candidate needs 36 votes.