Presidency bid ‘not serious’

BOB Geldof has insisted he was never serious about running for the Irish presidency as he revealed details of his conversation with the Taoiseach about the prospect.

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The Boomtown Rats frontman was linked with a potential run to become Ireland’s head of state several weeks ago and, at the time, Taoiseach Micheal Martin acknowledged he had a conversation with the Live Aid campaigner about the potential of him standing for his Fianna Fail party in October's election.

Geldof, who is originally from Dun Laoghaire near Dublin, said the discussion with Mr Martin did not progress very far, as the Irish premier had already chosen someone else as his preferred candidate.

Mr Martin backed former Dublin gaelic football manager Jim Gavin as Fianna Fail’s nomination and the former army officer was formally confirmed as the party candidate last week.