Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
FORMER KERRY TD Jackie Healy-Rae has today ruled out running for the presidency.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie this morning Healy-Rae said that after spending so long working as TD “up there” in Dublin he wanted to “stay a free man and stay out of it”.
He had first been mentioned as a possible candidate back in April when he told Radio Kerry that he was considering it, pointing out that never in his life had he lost an election.
The fact that he spoke to Radio Kerry on April Fool’s Day led some to believe that Healy-Rae was joking but he insisted that it was no joke.
However today he said “no, no, no, no way” when asked about the possibility of joining the race for the Áras.
Healy-Rae stepped down as a TD for Kerry South at the last election. His seat was taken by his son Michael Healy-Rae.
Asked which candidate he would be backing for the Autumn election, he said that he wasn’t sure yet but added that he was disappointed that former GAA president and Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly had decided not to run:
He’d do a good job there. I was really disappointed to see he wasn’t running.
Asked about the controversy surrounding independent candidate David Norris whose old media interviews have forced him to clarify his views on everything from pederasty to the age of consent, Healy-Rae said he hadn’t got an opinion on the matter.
He added that he hadn’t “a clue” which candidate he would back: “I haven’t even thought about it.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
president gombeen . NO THANK YOU
I hadn’t even realised he was considering running. Luckily he has come to his senses. The idea of him in the Park is nauseating.
Pity he didn’t run for the sake of it. Can you imagine a debate between Healy-Rae & David Norris?
Thank god for that. The nation’s humiliation would have been total.
now thats a shame, i can’t think of anyone whom is more dignified, well presented, articulate and best represents the real O’Ireland than the esteemed master of “parish pump, gombeen politics” than Mr. Healy-Rae.
that was sarcasm for those whom missed it
Would vote jedward sooner than healy rae!
Oh thank god for that, he would make a complete show of the country, we would be a laughing stock. Besides nobody would understand him with his accent, I’m Irish and I can’t!!!
Bet if you sneak up on him he has a d4 accent, the other one is for the telly
Ah lads, would ye not vote for him? Sure HE FIXED THE ROAD!
The road to nowhere?
Dell Boy would say: 24 carat plonker
Between Healy Rae, Norris, Cox, John Bruton and Bertie Ahern, the level of people that have been spoken about as potential presidents is very poor. All the above are life long insiders on the gravy train.
Of similar sentiment …. Imagine the embarrassment if he was elected ( which is possible) !!
Thank God for that!
Well think of it this way, if we elected him the rest if the world might take pity on us. Imagine sending him to meet Sarkozy.. Personally if I saw another country sending someone like him here on a state visit I’d wonder was someone taking the piss. We should banish him and his capwearing lovechild back to where they belong.
Funny enough I felt the exact same way… I agree with you jackie, no way
Could you imagine him on a return State visit to England “Jaysus yer Majesty tis mighty to see ya and tis grand yer lookin” (slaps Queen on back and knocks her over!)
Free man indeed. Bought and paid for.
Jackie as president would have capped all
have your say