Áras hopeful Maria Steen rules out contesting by-election to fill Paschal Donohoe's seat

Dublin Central by-election expected to take place in late spring next year and likely to be held on  same date as by-election in Galway West triggered by Catherine Connolly’s election as president

Maria Steen said she was not thinking about 'this election', but did not rule out running for political office. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Barrister Maria Steen, who sought a nomination in the recent presidential race, has ruled out contesting the by-election in Dublin Central caused by Paschal Donohoe’s resignation.

She told the Irish Examiner she was not thinking about “this election”, but did not rule out running for political office.

Ms Steen, a trained barrister and a media commentator representing the Iona Institute, sought nominations to contest the presidential election in October.

She received 18 Oireachtas nominations, falling two short of the required 20 to secure a place on the ballot paper. 

On Tuesday, Mr Donohoe announced he was leaving Government to take up a role with the World Bank in Washington DC. 

The now former finance minister will resign his seat in Dublin Central by the end of the week, triggering a by-election in the constituency.

Despite not living in the area, Ms Steen would be free to run in the constituency if she wished to do so.

However, she said she would not contest this election.

“No, not this by-election. No, not for me,” she said.

“I don't have any intentions in seeking it."

When asked if the presidency was the only election she would have been interested in contesting, Ms Steen said: “We’ll see”.

“It’s too early yet to say anything.

“I'm still trying to let the dust settle and just take stock of all that happened and think a little bit for a while about what, if anything, I can add to the political scene in Ireland.” 

The by-election in Dublin Central is expected to take place in the late spring of next year and is likely to be held on the same date as the by-election in Galway West triggered by Catherine Connolly’s election as president.

The Dublin Central constituency hit national headlines during last year’s general election due to the candidacy of veteran criminal Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch. 

He came close to claiming the fourth seat in the area, but was defeated by Labour’s Marie Sherlock.

It is unclear if he intends to seek election this year.

It is expected Fine Gael will run the current lord mayor of Dublin, Ray McAdam.

Fianna Fáil sources said Senator Mary Fitzpatrick could contest the election, but noted deputy lord mayor John Stephens, an ally of Bertie Ahern, represents Cabra-Glasnevin.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald represents Dublin Central, and it is expected either her general election running mate Janice Boylan or councillor Seamus McGrattan will contest the by-election.

The Green Party is likely to run either Cllr Janet Horner or Cllr Feljin Jose. The Social Democrats have two councillors, Daniel Ennis and Cat O’Driscoll, in the area.

The Labour Party, meanwhile, has no councillors in Dublin Central, with Ms Sherlock telling “those interested in running” to “get in touch” earlier this week.

Several independents, including Malachy Steenson and Clare Daly, sought election in the constituency in the last general election.