Overview

• Former EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness formally withdrew from the Fine Gael nomination on medical advice and has requested privacy.
• Fine Gael’s executive council will convene in the coming days to select a replacement presidential nominee.
• Independent TD Catherine Connolly has consolidated support from left-leaning parties and now tops betting markets.
• MEP Seán Kelly says he will ’most likely reconsider’ a presidential bid, and former minister Heather Humphreys is being courted for Fine Gael’s ticket.
• Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin have yet to decide on running candidates, while businessman Gareth Sheridan seeks local authority nominations.