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Gerry Adams 20/1 to be next Irish president

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams addressing his party's Ard Fheis in Dublin on Saturday. Picture by Brian Lawless, Press Association
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams addressing his party's Ard Fheis in Dublin on Saturday. Picture by Brian Lawless, Press Association Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams addressing his party's Ard Fheis in Dublin on Saturday. Picture by Brian Lawless, Press Association

SINN Féin leader Gerry Adams's odds on becoming the next president have dramatically shortened.

The Louth TD, who announced over the weekend he will step down as the leader of his party next year, is now 20/1 to become the next Irish president, according to betting company BoyleSports.

Mr Adams' odds of reaching the Áras an Uachtaráin had been 80/1.

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who has not ruled himself out of the running should the position become vacant, also had his price cut yesterday from 20/1 into 14/1.

The next presidential election is due to take place in 2018. However sitting president Michael D Higgins has not yet confirmed if he will stand again.

Four candidates are sitting at odds of 8/1. They are: MEP Mairead McGuinness, who is Vice President of the European Parliament; TV presenter Miriam O'Callaghan; Barnardos chief executive and senior Labour member Fergus Finlay and European Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly.

Leon Blanche from BoyleSports said: "Gerry Adams certainly has plenty of political experience and it would be no surprise to us if he were to throw his hat into the ring".

"Judging by the level of support today which saw his odds cut into 20/1 from 80/1, he may well have told his aides he intends to run," he said.