Sligo-Leitrim TD reacts to Sinn Féin backing Connolly for president

Sinn Féin has announced that it will support Independent candidate Catherine Connolly in the Presidential Election.

Party leader Mary Lou McDonald confirmed the plans following a meeting of the Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle on Saturday morning, ending months of speculation over its position.

“There had a long and broad consultation among all the party members across the country. In the initial stages, the vast majority were in favour of backing a candidate from outside of Sinn Féin, from the broad left, and Catherine was the obvious choice in respect of that,” Sligo-Leitrim and Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny told Ocean FM.

READ MORE: Leitrim house prices climb over five percent as demand outpaces supply

“She's somebody that those of us who know her and that's her house would have got on very well with, would have found we had similar positions on the vast, vast majority of issues. We feel she represents the kind of values that Ireland and that most people in Ireland hold dear. She's a person with a strong social conscience.”

READ MORE: 'People on low wages should get priority because they have no means of getting a mortgage' - Cathaoirleach

He praised her position on foreign affairs and the Irish language, as well as her knowledge of the law, which he feels will make her a very suitable candidate for president.

“I think will make an excellent president for Ireland very much in the footsteps of Michael D. Higgins.”

Connolly was the first candidate to secure a formal nomination this summer. Since then, Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys and Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin have joined the race.

Yesterday, Gareth Sheridan withdrew from the presidential campaign after failing to secure a nomination through the county council route. Maria Steen remains in the hunt but is unlikely to gain enough support to obtain a nomination officially by Wednesday’s deadline.