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Irish presidential election: Mary Lou McDonald rules herself out of running

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has ruled herself out of running in the Irish presidential election.

Speaking on plugin blue ray pinnacleRTé's Morning Ireland, she said her name is "no longer in the mix" and that she needs to "lead from the front" while in opposition.

She refused to rule out Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill as a potential candidate, but added that "we have options" and "everything is still in play".

People in the Republic of Ireland are set to go to the polls on Friday 24 October to vote in the Irish presidential election.

McDonald said that her effort "at this point in time" has to be in respect of "holding this government to account day and daily, building with my Sinn Féin colleagues and with colleagues beyond Sinn Féin a real alternative as and when the next general election occurs".

She confirmed that the party's process of selecting a candidate for the presidential election was "still under way", and that a "final proposition" will be brought to members on 20 September.

She added: "We still have the option of a Sinn Féin candidate or backing another".

"Catherine Connolly is the candidate now in the field and certainly, prior to going to the Ard Chomhairle, we will look to meet with Catherine and her campaign team."

It comes as 12 potential candidates are expected to come before Kerry County Council to seek support for a presidential nomination.

It is the first council to hear from aspiring independent presidential candidates.

The president of Ireland acts as the head of state.

It is a largely ceremonial role, representing Ireland at public events at the national and international level.

Only citizens residing in the Irish Republic have the right to vote in presidential elections.

To run for the office, you have to be an Irish citizen and aged over 35.

Candidates also need the backing of either 20 members of the Oireachtas (Irish houses of parliament) or four of the 31 local authorities.

Michael D Higgins was inaugurated as the ninth president in 2011 and was re-elected in October 2018.

He is not eligible to stand again as he will have completed two full seven-year terms.

Higgins succeeded Mary McAleese, who has been the only president from Northern Ireland.

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