Jim Gavin wins Fianna Fáil nomination for Áras race

Fianna Fáil have tapped Jim Gavin as their candidate in the 2025 Irish presidential election.

Gavin defeated MEP Billy Kelleher by 41 votes to 29 in the selection contest, backed by party leader Micheál Martin and other senior ministers in the party.

"I've been involved in competitions all my life and I think this will be the toughest campaign that I've ever been involved in," Gavin told reporters after the results were announced.

"I'm very honoured, the competititon was really welcome with Billy, we'd a quick chat earlier on this morning, he's a phenomenal MEP. Competition is good, I don't think anyone wanted a coronation."

Kelleher said he "fully supports and endorses" Gavin.

"I will canvas every day I can to ensure that he is elected because he shares the values that I share," Kelleher said.

"I'm very confident with endorsement of the parliamentary party and that he will be an exceptionally brilliant candidate."

After Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald pulled out of the race yesterday, Gavin's primary competition to succeed President Michael D. Higgins will be the remaining confirmed candidates: Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys and Independent TD Catherine Connolly.

"For me the presidency is being the first person of the state, not the first politician," Gavin said.

Gavin is the former manager of Dublin GAA who led the county to six All-Ireland victories, as well as a veteran of the Irish Defence Forces. Unlike Kelleher, he has not served in an official political role for Fianna Fáil.

Last month, Martin said his party have previously nominated candidates who lack experience as a TD or minister, naming former presidents and barristers Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh and Mary McAleese.

After the announcement, Martin said Fianna Fáil "have selected an outstanding candidate."

"To be fair, I think he is right in saying an electoral contest within the party has energised the party," Martin said.

"He is extremely well-known throughout the country...so we're dealing with a very competent, capable and well-known candidate."

Gavin also spent 20 years as a public servant in Dublin, during which he said he could not be political but had the chance to "speak to anybody from any walk of society"

When asked by reporters about his political stance, he said he is a centrist and a constitutional republican.

Replying to a question about repealing the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, he said it may have been a challenging moral decision but came down to protecting women's rights.

"I voted yes, in the Repeal the 8th [referendum]," Gavin said.

He said he also voted yes on the referendum for marriage equality.

"In terms of marriage equality, I'm all for equality," Gavin said.

"I think Ireland sent a very strong signal out, in terms that we're a progressive nation, that we're inclusive."