Aras race hots up as Billy Kelleher and Jim Gavin battle for support in bid to be FF candidate

"Both camps canvassing Fianna Fáil TDs Potential Fine Gael candidate Seán Kelly hits out at snub from fellow Kerry politician Michael Healy-Rae Healy-Rae gave Heather Humphreys his backing after Mairead McGuinness dropped out Independent candidate Catherine Connolly heads to Belfast in bid to win SF backing, but republican party likely to run one of its own members There is an all-out battle under way"

"party likely to run one of its own members There is an all-out battle under way in Fianna Fail for the presidential nomination, with both the Billy Kelleher and Jim Gavin camps contacting TDs last night for their support. There is growing expectation that Kelleher is preparing to enter his name in the race in the coming days after he held discussions across the parliamentary party throughout yesterday."

There is an all-out contest within Fianna Fáil for the presidential nomination as Billy Kelleher and Jim Gavin camps actively contact TDs seeking support. Kelleher is increasingly expected to enter the race after holding discussions across the parliamentary party. Potential Fine Gael candidate Seán Kelly expressed anger at a snub from Kerry politician Michael Healy-Rae, who instead backed Heather Humphreys following Mairead McGuinness's withdrawal. Independent candidate Catherine Connolly is traveling to Belfast to seek Sinn Féin endorsement, although Sinn Féin is likely to field one of its own members rather than back an independent.

Read at Independent