Northern Ireland

Sinn Fein MP John Finucane tipped to be in the running for next President of Ireland

Sinn Fein MP John Finucane tipped to be in the running for next President of Ireland. Picture by Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker
Sinn Fein MP John Finucane tipped to be in the running for next President of Ireland. Picture by Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Sinn Fein MP John Finucane tipped to be in the running for next President of Ireland. Picture by Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Sinn Féin MP John Finucane has been tipped to be in the running to become the next President of Ireland.

Michael D Higgins is due to end his second term in 2025 and punters are already speculating who could be in the running for the position.

Boylesports have set odds for the North Belfast MP at 11/1 to replace Mr Higgins.

TV presenter Miriam O'Callaghan, who was linked to a presidential bid in 2018 before Mr Higgins went on to secure a second term, is at 12/1, while Ireland’s EU commissioner Mairead McGuinness is the early favourite at 7/2 should she make a second attempt having failed in a bid to be Fine Gael’s nomination in 2011.

Lawrence Lyons, spokesman for BoyleSports, said: "It may be a long way off, but it’s interesting to see the likes of John Finucane singled out as someone who might consider a presidential bid.

"He was a rumoured contender for Sinn Féin last time and we’ve had to cut him into 11/1 from 25/1 already, making him their most likely candidate at this early stage," he said.