HEATHER HUMPHREYS HAS said she is seeking votes from “right across the board” after Jim Gavin’s decision to withdraw from the presidential election.

Gavin, a former Dublin Gaelic football manager, announced his withdrawal last night hours after he faced questions over claims he owed a former tenant €3,300.

He had the support of Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and secured the party’s nomination after a contest against MEP Billy Kelleher last month.

That decision by Gavin leaves just Humphreys and Independent Catherine Connolly in the race for the Áras.

Speaking to reporters this afternoon in Belfast, Humphreys remarked that it was a “very big decision for Jim Gavin” and that he stepped down “in the interests of his family”.

She praised his “huge amount of service to the public and huge commitment to the GAA”.

“We live in a very divisive world,” said Humphreys, “so whether it’s the extreme-left or the extreme-right, I am presenting myself as a centre-ground candidate and somebody who wants to unite this country and somebody who won’t let this country down on the international stage.”

She asked for people to vote for her “regardless of what their political affiliations are”.

When asked if she was seeking a formal endorsement from Fianna Fáil, Humphreys replied: “It’s very early today, after that announcement last night.”

Humphreys added that she has “many Fianna Fáil friends” and that “this is a difficult day for them”.

“I will want votes from everybody, because if I don’t get enough number one votes, I won’t get elected,” added Humphreys.

Humphreys was asked if she would seek a meeting with Micheál Martin in order to gain the support of Fianna Fáil.

She replied that the presidency is “above party politics” and that while she received a nomination from Fine Gael, she is “presenting myself as a person that will represent the people of this country”.

When pressed on whether she would seek a meeting with Martin, Humphreys said: “He is obviously very busy today.

“This is a budget week, and this time last year I’d have been in the middle of it.

“I want votes from right across the board and I hope people will judge me on my record and on my vision for the presidency.”

When asked if Gavin’s withdrawal from the presidential race was good for her campaign, Humphreys said she is “focused on getting elected and getting my message out to as many people as I can”.

She added that she is someone who can “unify this country and bring people together”.

Humphreys was further asked about how Fianna Fáil might respond to Gavin’s withdrawal.

She replied that it is a “matter for them”.

“They’ll have their meetings and discussions and it’s up to them to decide what to do.

“I think it’s fair to say it’s not an easy day for Fianna Fáil.”

Humphreys was speaking to reporters from St Dominic’s Grammar School on the Falls Road in Belfast, which is the secondary school former president Mary McAleese attended.

“In terms of Northern Ireland, I want to do what Mary McAleese did in reaching out that hand of friendship.”

She was asked about the reason for visiting Belfast given people in the North cannot vote in the presidential election.

She noted that she was visiting the school where McAleese studied and added: “I’m an Ulster woman as well and I would be very privileged and honoured to be the second Ulster woman to be Uachtarán na hÉireann.”

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She also said it is important to speak to young people because “if our future is ever to be unified, we must work with young people”.

Humphreys added that if elected president, she would bring young people from the North and the Republic “together through a schools programme”.

“There’s a freshness in young people on both sides of the border, because we’ve had many years of peace now and they look at things in a different way,” she added.

She also said that a united Ireland, “whenever it comes, will release a new energy and a new optimism and give us a real sense of identity on the world stage”.

Humphreys also said she understands the “sensitivities and difficulties” some in the unionist community feel towards the prospect of a united Ireland.

“I know many unionists too who also see the benefits of working together on a united Ireland,” said Humphreys.

“I only live six miles from the border and I come from a minority tradition in Co Monaghan.

“I can speak to people and I understand the differences and it’s only through conversations that we can deepen the understanding of communities and bring them together.”

Humphreys said such conversations are vital if there is to be an Irish unity referendum.

She added that “Brexit did set us back”.

“I was against Brexit and I was very concerned when I was Minister for Business that a border would be created between us and Northern Ireland.

“I’m old enough and long enough around to know the difficulties that a border can create.”