Remember folks, vote early and vote often!

Interesting move by SF. No doubt they have done their sums on this one. With the public mood towards politics at the moment there will be a low turnout for the election. There is no clear favourite. If SF can get a good turn out from their historical support base plus a few votes on an anti government anti Europe platform it could make for a very interesting election.

It’s going to get interesting all the same …

There’s a tweet going around that says it rather well. (HT to @urchinette)

“I mean, Norris had to step down because of skeletons in the cupboard, but at least they weren’t ACTUAL SKELETONS”

Better than them robbing us, aye?

What part of the Good Friday Agreement are people not getting! We drew a line and both sides signed up, if SF want to run a candidate then so be it, let them get on with it! You go in, you vote, job done. Drop the "Oh, they did this and they did that" rubbish! It’s over!! Just go vote!

He’ll oppose every piece of European legislation and turn the Council of State into the Sinn Fein Ard Comhairle. At least he has the experience of commanding an Army albeit an illegal one! His solution to bailing out the banks will be to rob them!

Well, that’s one way to save money on royal visits!

Some of the comments here are absolutely shocking, they make the DUP look moderate!

Yes McGuinness was in the IRA but the Troubles were a completely different era from now. A peace process has taken place, McGuinness & his party have shown clear leadership in the north & people there have moved on. People here in the south should move on too.

Today FM just announced that Martin McGuinness is Sinn Feins candidate. Cue “We shouldnt have a terrorist as president” comments. I met him once. I thought I would hate him but he came across as a very charismatic, intelligent man.

Apparently, it will be Martin Mc Guninness who will be SF candidate.
Who would believe it that the former head of the IRA would be standing as president of the Republic of Ireland? Not in my lifetime did I think this could happen, not sure if it too soon, or if the country have advanced so far that when it comes to Northern Ireland that this is acceptable?
As, I live overseas I won’t have a say anyway but I woud be interested to see the views of those that will be and can vote?

Hang on, I thought the shinners don’t recognise the Irish army as the legitimate army of the state ? How can he even start attending functions with guards of honour .no matter how far this country has moved on him and his party will never represent me . In fairness to him at least he acknowledges his past , unlike his colleague Adams who suffers from a rare form of amnesia . This country is really reaching rock bottom

Good point on RTE news what will he do if we have another Royal visit? Will he refuse to meet with him/her? He won’t represent everyone on this island… We want to portray an image of a modern nation but with him still refusing to admit his role in the IRA and refusing to meet with royalty he will build a wall between us and our nearest and biggest economic neighbour…!!!

It’s starting to sound like a Green Orange Lodge on here!! I’ve had four decades of this shite, it is time to move on…

Typical SF, using a disenchanted electorate to get Adams a seat and now to dive in for the Presidential office.

They refused to meet the Queen and move relations to a new level, do we really want this kind of President??

I’d say Gerry mcCabe is spinning in his grave , god love him and his family , talk about sticking the knife in. If this scumbag becomes the head of state I for one am leaving it

So a murderer & ex-IRA Chief of Staff can waltz onto the Ballot paper whilst the people’s choice David Norris can’t get a nomination because he sent a letter in error? Some country we live in!!!

Not sure he sanctioned the shooting of Garda Gerry McCabe but he agreed with the ideal that no one should get in the way of the IRA getting their hands on money to cause death and destruction. Sunn Fein now realise that the discord in the republic political system is the way forward. But if the Shinners are that popular down here why can’t they field a candidate who actually is from the 26 counties? I’ll tell u why, cos the are shite robbing thieving scheming f# cks…. McGuinness should be tried for crimes against humanity in my opinion

Gay Mitchell is the big winner here. This will drag out FG voters that may have stayed at home.

Its a bold move by Sinn Fein, The right-wing media will have a field day but a well managed campaign could certainly see a top two finish not sure he will win it though.

The man has blood in his hands and should not be given the option.

If indeed this is the case it would be a fantastic fillip for Irish citizens in the north who should be entitled to vote in Presidential elections. A candidate who will campaign hard to ensure we receive this right.

RTE News in shock .. Tommy Gormless speechless and stupefied and the other talking head in the studio..forgot his name..square haircut) described McGuinness’s past as ‘lurid’. You could hear a (grenade) pin drop in the studio. If MMcG wins RTE can kiss their TV licence goodbye..

@Ultraman
I don’t have an alter ego. You must be mistaking me for someone else. My twitter profile is public, as are my tweets, and comments here.

McGuinness has worked tirelessly to bring peace to Ireland, and build bridges between the two communities. He will have my vote. I think the work he has done in Stormont is commendable – and I’m sure as president, he can continue to build peace on the island and create a more balanced and fair working relationship with unionists.

Jaysus, a terrorist as president? No thanks. Why not use election day to change the constitution, and allow President McAleese to stand again? At this rate, nobody has my vote. Thats not out of laziness, it’s just that I dont rate any of the candidates.

Agree with Rory Mc he’ll turn the council of state into a farce. He’ll prob actually get into uniform and duck step up and down his military guards of honor. While I agree the shinners shod be allowed a shot it shouldn’t be someone who openly threatened the civil power and armed forces of this state. While he may have turned his back in his terrorist past he still has the blood of thousands on his hands

It’s a pity I’m living abroad. I’d love to vote for Martin McGuinness. I also met him once and he seems like a friendly and intelligent guy.

Classic stuff all the same can’t stop laughing ….:)

This country is a joke. A murdering, gun running terrorist allowed run for president? I’m f**kin emigrating!

I see the mention of the murder of Garda McCabe received a few thumbs down. Am I to beleive that people actually agree with this murder and these same people want mcguinness as president? Chances are he knew the murder would occur and may even have sanctioned it.

I found that,in the general election just past and of course this revelation that mmcg is running for president, comes a huge anti republicanism view coming out of some southerns. (now I am not painting you all with the same brush) However this type of forgetfulness and dare I say it stupidity really pi$$’s me off! The only reason why you are not singing God Save the Queen is as a direct result of men and woman like mmcg who all had "blood on their hands" Give this man a chance! He has been one of the few political figures at the moment who has actually done something of worth in the country!

He is over qualified for the job. Planting things and blowing out the candle at night – been there done that next.

Mind you he would have to visit hospitals rehabs so he might come face to face with his victims.

as bertie would say the muppet show get,s muppier

Martin mc Guinness for pres OH YES AT LAST SINN FEIN SHOW THEIR HAND AND WHAT A GREAT ONE.should stir the CLOWNS down here and RTE can go and f?ck themselves they are still shell shocked over FF down fall.

Martin is a great man and would make an excellent candidate. A real man and not some wimpy guy.

every one has there right to vote for who ever they choose , my only let down is that I won’t be in the country for the vote , but he would have my second choice

I think the ‘problem’ is, the bar has been raised by the two ‘Marys’.
Granted, I knew nothing about them prior to their election, but they certainly achieved and were a great represention for the country. I was keen on Pat Cox.

Great news a proper candidate and one things for sure he ll do it for the right reasons and won’t cost us the people  250,000 a year ….. show the rest of the greedy politicians the way forward !!!!!

A

I was born in northern ire and i have lived here for over 35 years and belive me when i tell u donal the politicians in the north have more fuckn back bone than the shower of shit you call politians you have in this great land ,and further more Martin mc guinness will make this country stand up and be counted again because he s not a coward like FG/LABOUR/FF nominees and wont take any crap or backhanders,like what has been going on for the last 30/40 years

He’s not even from Ireland ! He’s from the UK , how is he going to fund his campaign ? With NI sterling , has he any off that left I wonder . I see that wanker from Kerry Healy Rae is backing him that says it all , maybe with should get simon cowell to run it like the xfactor and Healy rae knows to vote with his dail phone