The President of the GAA Jarlath Burns has re-confirmed that he will not be standing in the forthcoming Presidential Election.
There had been renewed speculation about Mr Burns following Mary Lou McDonald’s comments yesterday that Sinn Féin’s participation in the Presidential Election campaign would be a “game-changer”.
However, Mr Burns said this morning that he is not going to be the party’s candidate as he will continue his work in his present role.
Sinn Féin has been mulling over its approach to the race for Áras an Uachtaráin, with two options at its disposal – either run its own candidate or back Independent Catherine Connolly’s campaign.
Speaking at the National Ploughing Championships in Co Offaly yesterday, Ms McDonald said that she knew the proposal she would be bringing to the party but that it would not be made public until tomorrow.
“I think Sinn Féin’s participation will be a game-changer in this election. It’ll be very much game on.
“The leadership will bring its decision, make it public on Saturday. We’re going to be very active in this very important campaign,” said Ms McDonald.
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil’s presidential candidate Jim Gavin handed in his nomination papers at the Custom House this morning.
Fianna Fail presidential candidate Jim Gavin @gavinforthearas has officially handed in his nomination papers to run in #Aras25 pic.twitter.com/YWr4lXcV3V
— Fiachra Ó Cionnaith 😊 (@Ocionnaith) September 19, 2025
Polling in the Presidential Election is scheduled for Friday 24 October with a result expected around 9pm the following day.