Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern declares he will not be running in presidential election

Former Taoiseach and leader of Fianna Fáil Bertie Ahern has confirmed he will not be running in the upcoming Irish Presidential Election after months of speculation. 

It is now understood that former Dublin football manager Jim Gavin and Ireland South MEP Billy Kelleher are the two frontrunners for Fianna Fáil's selection for President. 

This news comes just days after Mr Ahern spoke at an event in Drumcondra where he insinuated that he was not the party's pick for a candidate. 

A recording of his comments was sent to The Irish Times by his office in response to queries on Mr Ahern’s intentions in relation to the election.

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On why Taoiseach Micheál Martin did not back him to run, Mr Ahern said, “I suppose he saw, in his view, that there was a candidate 20 years younger and somebody kind of from outside the party [Mr Gavin].”

He also said to The Irish Times that Mr Martin had “indicated in the past why he was anti-me was to do with the Mahon tribunal and the economy.”

Mr Ahern, despite the disappointment, confirmed he would not consider running in the election as an independent because he has "always been a Fianna Fáil person." 

Nominations for the party's presidential candidate will close at 5pm this evening, September 5. The selected candidate is expected to be announced early next week.