MEP Seán Kelly approached by senior Fine Gael members about running for the Áras, he reveals

In the new Hot Press, in a major exclusive interview, the Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly talks about his ambition to become the next Irish president, reveals that he received death threats over the controversial decision to scrap GAA’s Rule 42 and calls for a united Irish soccer team and soccer league.

Also in the interview, the proud Kerryman concedes that Dublin is the greatest GAA football team of all time ("They have to be when you win six in a row") and admits it was a mistake for the GAA to bring the All-Ireland final back to July ("The whole season is extremely condensed").

He also reveals how the tragic death of his brother motivated him to get involved in politics, and explains why he’s open to the legislation of marijuana and the decriminalisation of cocaine – stating that the Portugese model "makes sense", because it "should be about helping people to come out of it, rather than penalising them for being on it."

On being approached by senior Fine Gael members to run for the Áras, he said: “Some definitely have. Quite a few, actually. And then people in the constituencies will say it to you.

“...Obviously, the votes I got in the European elections put me in the mix with people when they are thinking about candidates.”

He went on to describe his vision for the presidency as "a bit like my style when I was president of the GAA."

"I’d be very inclusive," he continued. "I’d be conscious of the less well-off in Ireland and ensuring they got a better quality of life.”

Explaining why he didn’t report any of the death threats he received over the controversial abolishment of GAA’s Rule 42, the MEP said that he "didn't want to be bringing any attention to it."

"A lot of it I kept to myself, because it would be very upsetting for the family if they knew that was happening," he resumed. "So most times I just put it aside and got on with it.”

On the topic of a united Irish soccer team, Kelly said that he's "disappointed it hasn’t happened", and that "there isn’t much progress towards it."

“Our rugby team have shown the benefits, both politically and sporting-wise, with our united Ireland team. It would be great if we could have the same in relation to soccer.”

You can read the full interview in the new issue of Hot Press – in shops now, and available to order online below: