Hanafin bows out of Aras race

FORMER Fianna Fail deputy leader Mary Hanafin has revealed she won't be contesting for the party's presidential candidate.

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In July the former minister announced that she was interested in running for the Aras.

However, speaking to Brendan O'Connor on RTE Radio 1 yesterday, Ms Hanafin said she won't be contesting as she doesn’t have backing from Fianna Fail leaders.

She said: “It looks like I'm going to have to stay on the bench on this one. I knew at the outset that I couldn't achieve getting the nomination unless I had the backing of the leadership.”

The former politician said she believes she should have received a phone call before some members publicly backed Jim Gavin.