Latest news with #TonyHolohan
The Irish Sun
20-07-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Presidential race heats up as ex-health chief ‘laying the groundwork' to run & former party leader open to plum Aras gig
EX-HEALTH chief Dr Tony Holohan is preparing to run in the presidential election, it has been reported. The former Chief Medical Officer, who became a household name during the Advertisement 3 Former CMO Dr Tony Holohan is preparing to run in the presidential election Credit: REUTERS 3 Michael D Higgins' term as President of Ireland ends in November Credit: Alamy It is understood that sources close to the professor said 'plans are in progress' for him to announce his candidacy. Contacted by the 'I won't be saying anything at the minute.' Advertisement Read more on Presidential Race Last month, he married therapist Ciara Cronin in Dun Laoghaire, south He was previously embroiled in two controversies - the However, he is now reportedly in 'diplomatic training', with the doctor attending meetings at the UN buildings in Meanwhile, former Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte has said he is open to considering a run for president. Advertisement Most read in the Irish Sun Breaking Breaking Exclusive Mr Rabbitte was leader of the party between 2002 and 2007 and served as minister for communications, energy and natural resources between 2011 and 2014. The Co 'OPTIONS OPEN' Asked on Newstalk radio on Sunday if he would rule out running for president, Mr Rabbitte said: 'No, one should always keep one's options open.' He went on to say he would 'entertain' a bid if he was approached by a 'broad cross-section of moderate opinion'. Advertisement However, he added: 'I better kill this quickly before it gathers feet: I am very, very happy to leave this challenge to others.' The Labour Party has yet to formally back a candidate. CANDIDATES TO DATE So far, two candidates have secured sufficient backing to enter the race. Advertisement Ms Connolly resigned from Labour after being turned down to be a running mate of then incumbent TD To be eligible to run, a candidate must be an Irish citizen who is 35 or older. They must be nominated either by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or at least four local authorities. Advertisement Former or retiring presidents can nominate themselves. 3 Ex-Labour leader Pat Rabbitte has said he is open to considering a run for president Credit: PA:Press Association
BreakingNews.ie
20-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Tony Holohan linked with presidential bid
Tony Holohan could be making a bid to enter the race to become the next President. It is reported the former chief medical officer has plans in progress to announce his candidacy. Advertisement The Irish Mail on Sunday quotes the Covid-era CMO as saying he could "neither confirm nor deny" if he was preparing to put his hat in the ring to replace Michael D Higgins at this time. Yesterday Lord of the Dance star Michael Flatley suggested he may run for the Áras saying "somebody has to speak for the Irish people". Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae has ruled himself out of the running. In an interview with , former minister Ivan Yates said Mr Healy-Rae could be a "dark horse" in the presidential race. However, when this was put to him on RTÉ radio on Saturday, Mr Healy-Rae said he was focused on his role as a TD for Kerry.
Extra.ie
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Presidential race heats up: A look at the current favourites, long shots and non-runners
It was claimed this was the race no one wanted to enter, but nonetheless, a Grand National-style field is chaotically milling around the starting gates of the Presidential election due to take place later this year. With the final date for candidate selection looming, attempts are being made to bring order and control to the prospective runners and riders. Here we go through the large field of names and break them down into favourites, contenders, long shots and non-runners… Micheál Martin (Fianna Fáil, 8/1) Like Michael Corleone and the Cosa Nostra , every time Micheál tries to leave the Presidential race, his party drags him back in. Were he to run on a 'Grandad of the Nation' ticket, he would be in the final count — but our fabulously indecisive Taoiseach knows nothing is guaranteed. Micheal Martin. Pic: Getty Mairéad McGuinness (Fine Gael, 10/1) Technically the favourite, but concerns are high in Fine Gael that while she will start briskly, she could finish poorly. Front-runners and certainties have a bad history in Áras races. Ask David Norris and Adi Roche. Mary Lou McDonald (Sinn Féin, 12/1) Mary Lou is a formidable campaigner who actually connects with the voter. Best suited perhaps to a short sprint. Running could be a political shot to nothing — unless Mary Lou ends up as the sweeper candidate who gets Catherine Connolly over the line. Then we'd have trouble. Mary Lou McDonald. Pic: Fran Veale Catherine Connolly (Independent, 12/1) If the left can get its act together, the spiritual heir to Michael D. Higgins — despite their personal rivalry — has a real chance. Those of a mischievous political nature will know she would be an absolute thorn in the side of the Coalition. Bertie Ahern (Fianna Fáil, 25/1) A riddle in an enigma, Ahern is the most qualified candidate — but that's not how these things work. The Áras is a great contest of respectability, and there are too many spooks in the Bertie attic. The time for Bertie to get nervous is if Micheál calls him in and makes him an offer he'd be very wise to refuse — though that is very unlikely. Tony Holohan (Independent, 33/1) As Fianna Fáil scrambles for someone more credible than a couple of retired soccer players, could Tony Holohan surprise? With party backing, the odds on 'the people's doctor' could tighten quickly — and more than Fianna Fáil could be interested. A politically attractive name. Tony Holohan. Pic: Sasko Lazarov/ Niall Quinn / Packie Bonner (Fianna Fáil, 33/1) Two sporting wild cards from the Jack Charlton soccer era. It could go very well, but also has the potential to resemble Eamon Coughlan's brief Fine Gael career. It ended in the Seanad. Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, 40/1) She's very good at the smiling, emoting and looking regal part of the post. But she would have a lot of work to do to overcome the innate partitionist instincts of the Southern voter — and that's just when it comes to Cork candidates. Lynn Boylan (Sinn Féin, 50/1) In the absence of much better, she has come late to the fray. Much has been made of her EU vote, but since topping the poll with 23.6% in 2013, her vote has remained around 10%. Gerry Adams (Sinn Féin, 50/1) He has the same chance as Bertie. We'll leave it at that. Gerry Adams. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire John Finucane (Sinn Féin, 50/1) With his life story, he could contend — but is expected to prefer to stick with the grown-ups in the Northern head office rather than a 14-year stretch in the prison of the Phoenix Park. Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (Fianna Fáil, 66/1) Sparkly and energetic. Elbowed her way through a reasonably impressive field by EU election standards. Unlikely — but not impossible. A.N. Other (Aontú mystery candidate, 75/1) There's talk of Aontú stitching together enough votes to nominate a mystery candidate. Some believe it might be Declan Ganley — which would be a case of too little, too opinionated. Mary Hanafin (Fianna Fáil, 80/1) Ms Hanafin said it would be 'an insult' if Fianna Fáil didn't run a candidate. It would — but it's more likely the party ends up running her. Eamon Ryan (Greens, 80/1) Deserves the chance to hear the public view on initiatives like bicycle carriages in trains where, unlike the standing hoi polloi, bikes can have a rest. Minister Eamon Ryan. Pic: Fran Veale Mike Ryan (Labour, 80/1) A well-intentioned UN bureaucrat that nobody knows. Likely to fare as well as his Labour sponsors: that is, around 5%. Fergus Finlay (Labour, 80/1) Likely to fare only slightly better than Mr Ryan. Peter Power (Fianna Fáil, 100/1) Apparently was a minister back in the day. Already dubbed 'Mr 3%' — in reference to his polling. A nice guy, but we all know where they finish. Colum Eastwood (Anyone at this stage, 100/1) The former SDLP leader is still — apparently — in the running. Fintan O'Toole (Independent, 100/1) Political credibility vanished after failing to show up for service in the 2011 election. Conor McGregor (Independent, 250/1) Someone should tell him that unlike Trump, being President doesn't let you pardon yourself. That might cool his jets. Conor McGregor. Pic: Edward Berthelot/GC Images Mick Wallace (Independent, 250/1) A case of 'send in the clowns', but the idea of Mick — and political partner Clare Daly — in the Park is fleetingly tempting, just for the nosebleeds it would cause. Peter Casey (Independent, 250/1) Too much competition these days in the dog-whistling market. Michael Flatley (Who knows?, 250/1) Says he's been approached by 'people in the know' — but doesn't know himself if he's keen. Jumping from Lord to President might not be that hard though. Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael) Wily Fine Gael fox read the room and got out swiftly. Mairéad, take note. Miriam O'Callaghan (Independent) Would have to run as an Independent, but the running would suit Fianna Fáil, which might take the 'spontaneous' decision to back 'our Miriam'. Still 20/1 despite seemingly ruling herself out. Miriam O'Callaghan. Pic: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos Heather Humphreys (Fine Gael) A clever campaigner who was an early favourite. Also made a smart early exit. Mairéad, take note again. Seán Kelly (Fine Gael) Clever fox spent some time sniffing around before bolting back to the burrow. Frances Black (Independent) She's in. She's out. She's in. No one cares anymore. Joe Duffy (Possibly Labour) Wisely took another page from Gaybo's book and decided fronting Aldi ads is a better retirement plan. Joe Duffy. Pic: Michael Chester Máire Geoghegan-Quinn (Fianna Fáil) Has a life — and intends to keep it. Silence makes it abundantly clear no amount of excitable FF TDs will change that. Jarlath Burns (Independent) Decided that being President of the GAA was the better gig. Barry Andrews (Fianna Fáil) Exited the race before embarrassing himself further. Holly Cairns (Social Democrats) Could have stood on a 'Something different… something nice' ticket, but her party wisely decided to focus on actual politics.
Extra.ie
20-07-2025
- Health
- Extra.ie
Exclusive: Tony Holohan preparing bid for Presidency
Professor Tony Holohan is preparing to launch a bid to become the next President of Ireland, can exclusively reveal. Sources close to the former chief medical officer told that 'plans are in progress' for him to announce his candidacy. Contacted this weekend, Dr Holohan was coy about a potential run for Áras an Uachtaráin. 'I can neither confirm nor deny if your information is correct or incorrect,' he said in response to reports of his preparing a bid. Pressed further, Dr Holohan said: 'I won't be saying anything at the minute,' adding that he was currently attending meetings in the UN buildings in Brussels. Tony Holohan. Pic: Sasko Lazarov/ Dr Holohan became chief medical officer in 2008 and came to prominence during the pandemic. He stepped down in 2022. A lifelong civil servant, he appears to be acquainting himself with the inner workings of political life, with sources saying he is in 'diplomatic training'. 'If you look at his Instagram he has been posting some images outside the UN with the Irish flag, very strategically, fluttering in the background,' said one source. 'He is laying the groundwork at the minute,' they continued. 'He is familiarising himself with international diplomatic relations in places like the UN parliament and he is also upping his socialmedia game considerably.' Tony Holohan. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos Asked about his presence at the UN and the strategically posed social-media image, Dr Holohan laughed, saying, 'I'm just over here for meetings.' Since stepping down as CMO, he has taken up several other posts, most recently in April last year when he was awarded an adjunct professorship at Trinity College. He also became adjunct professor at UCD in 2022, and in February last year he became director of UCD's Centre for One Health, aimed at advancing research into global health challenges. The news comes two years after he was embroiled in a scandal over a plan to appoint him to Trinity on secondment, at the expense of the taxpayer. In June of this year, Dr Holohan married Ciara Cronin, a mindfulness-based psychotherapist. Tony Holohan and Ciara Cronin on their wedding day. Pic: Mike Mulcaire They began a relationship in 2023 – two-and-a-half years after the death of his first wife, Dr Emer Feely. The couple had been married for more than 20 years, until Emer died of multiple myeloma in 2021. It is not clear who will back him in his bid for the Presidency but he has a cordial relationship with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Fianna Fail has not clarified if it will run a candidate and is to make a decision in the early autumn. As of yet there are only two declared candidates for the election later this year. This week MEP and EU commissioner Mairead McGuinness was announced as Fine Gael's official nominee, after former GAA president Seán Kelly dropped out. She is expected to be ratified by the party in September. Mairead McGuinness. Pic: Isopix/REX/Shutterstock This week she said: 'I'm conscious of the opportunity and challenge ahead, given the very important constitutional role of the President, and the esteem in which the office is held by the people. Subject to my candidacy being ratified by the party in early September, I very much look forward to setting out my vision.' Independent TD Catherine Connolly also announced her bid for the Presidency this week, with the backing of the Social Democrats and People Before Profit. Catherine Connolly. Pic: Sam Boal/Collins Photos The Labour Party is also expected to come on board with its support. Ms Connolly said she does not regret backing conspiracy theorist Gemma O'Doherty's Presidential bid in 2018, saying her 'judgment call was right at the time'. Ms Doherty's campaign was beset by controversy when she suggested the State had colluded in Veronica Guerin's murder. Asked if she regretted the nomination, Ms Connolly said: 'My judgment call was right at the time. Do I regret what's happened in relation to her? Absolutely.' Meanwhile Sinn Féin has still to decide if it will put forward its own nominee or support an umbrella left-wing candidate. Since party leader Mary Lou McDonald refused last week to rule herself out of the contest, speculation about her possible candidacy has grown.
Irish Times
08-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Tony Holohan ‘full of joy' as he shares news of marriage to Ciara Cronin
The State's former chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan , has said his heart is 'full of joy' after marrying mindfulness therapist and yoga teacher-trainer Ciara Cronin. Dr Holohan married Ms Cronin at the National Maritime Museum in Dún Laoghaire, south Dublin on Saturday. In his 2023 memoir, We Need to Talk, he described her as a 'source of joy and optimism and hope for the future' following the death of his late wife, Dr Emer Feely. Dr Feely, a specialist in public health medicine, died during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. READ MORE She had been battling multiple myeloma, a terminal form of blood cancer, since 2012. Her death came while Dr Holohan had become the public face of the State's response to the Covid-19 pandemic in his role as chairman of the National Public Health Emergency Team. He had taken time away from his duties to help care for his late wife, saying he wanted to give 'all of my time' to her and their two children, Clodagh and Ronan. Tony Holohan described the wedding as 'a beautiful day shared with the people we love'. Photograph: Michael Mulcaire Dr Feely died in February 2021, with her wake and funeral being held under the toughest Covid-19 restrictions with church attendance limited to 10 people. He subsequently met Ms Cronin, an accredited mindfulness-based psychotherapist and yoga and meditation teacher and trainer in 2022. He told The Irish Times almost a year later that his late wife hoped for another relationship for him when she was gone. At the time, Dr Holohan spoke happily about developing a 'separate and independent connection' between Ms Cronin and his children and how comfortable they are talking about their late mother. 'It all feels very good and natural,' he said. [ Tony Holohan: 'My wife was slowly dying and would be cut off from her friends and family in the last few months of her life' Opens in new window ] Posting photos online on Sunday of his wedding, Dr Holohan said: 'My heart is full of joy and happiness – a beautiful day shared with the people we love.' Last week, he said he is 'so happy that Ciara and I will spend the rest of our lives together'.
