A Kerry MEP has ruled himself out of the race for the Presidency.
Seán Kelly says he won't be seeking a nomination to contest the election for Fine Gael.
Speculation had mounted that the Kilcummin native would put his name forward, after he met with Tánaiste Simon Harris and the party executive to discuss the campaign last month.
Advertisement
The move leaves Mairead McGuinness as the frontrunner to be the party's Presidential candidate.
Fine Gael is set to close its nominations next week.
The next presidential election must take place in the 60 days before President Michael D. Higgin's term ends on 11 November.
