World of Politics with Harry McGee

August was just trundling along; even the nascent Presidential race seemed to have ground to a halt – until Friday last, when Mairéad McGuinness released the shocking news that she was withdrawing from the race on health grounds.

She said she had made the ‘very difficult decision’ after a short stay in hospital and would now prioritise her health. “I do not believe that I have the strength to give the campaign my all,” she added.

It was a cruel blow and very sad on a personal level. Mairéad McGuinness should have been the Fine Gael candidate in 2011 but through a mixture of short-sightedness and obstinacy, its parliamentary party backed another candidate.

From the outset of this campaign, McGuinness was the front-runner. She is a born communicator, has accumulated vast experience as a politician and as an EU Commissioner, and looked odds-on favourite to become the next President – subject to surviving in what has become a venal campaign.

Let us hope that she makes a full recovery.

The turn of events threw the whole contest into turmoil. Her departure left just one confirmed candidate in the contest, the left-wing Galway West TD, Catherine Connolly.

Fine Gael has never won the presidency even though Tom O’Higgins came close against Eamon de Valera in 1966. McGuinness represented the party’s strongest chance of putting a Fine Gael president into the Áras.

In fairness to Fine Gael, it moved quickly following the announcement. It is likely that Simon Harris very quickly contacted Heather Humphreys, the former minister for social protection and rural affairs. It’s clear she was convinced because ministers said that Harris mentioned Humphreys when phoning them that (Friday) evening.

The party hastily convened a meeting of its executive council. There was speculation that, given Harris’ strong backing for the former Cavan TD, the council might decide to opt for a named candidate, Humphreys.

But it decided there was still time to hold a quick contest, if required. After a short meeting, it was agreed that nominations would open for two weeks, and if there was more than one candidate there would be a hustings and a vote.

Pictured: Catherine Connolly… still the only confirmed candidate. Photo: Brian Harding.