FIANNA FÁIL’S PRESIDENTIAL candidate Jim Gavin officially launched his campaign today.

Flanked by his wife Jennifer and two children, Jude and Yasmin, the 54-year-old arrived at the event, where he spoke about his career in the Defence Forces and the Irish Aviation Authority before he became the manager of Dublin GAA.

“I’m not a politician,” he told those in attendance at the Exo building in Dublin, “but there are many ways to serve your country. It would be deeply wrong to say that the role of President should be closed to people who have contributed to our country in other ways.

“Through my public service and my personal commitment, I’ve seen the best of our country.”

Gavin said he believed he had shown his ability to bring out the best in people throughout his varied career. He outlined a number of areas he would engage with and try bring awareness to if he was elected president.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin outlined Gavin’s multifaceted work in public service and highlighted his work in leading the North-East Inner-City Taskforce.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin with Fianna Fáil presidential candidate, Jim Gavin and his wife Jennifer at the launch of his presidential campaign. Damien Eagers Photography Damien Eagers Photography

“In that role he has been relentless in his dedication and hard work, interacting with agencies across and outside government to deliver for communities facing real challenges.

“And along the way of course, he also found time to forge his legacy as the most successful manager, and possibly the most radical innovator, in the history of one of our country’s most significant and most successful national cultural or sporting institution, the GAA,” Martin said.

He added that through Gavin’s work in the GAA, the presidential candidate has connected with people in all 32 counties.

“And he has done all this, and more, with a quiet and self-effacing grace, humour and determination,” the Taoiseach said.

At the launch, Gavin also spoke briefly about his personal life. He said his parents had grown up in republican families in west Clare before moving to Dublin for a better life.

“My late father and my mother, who is here today, raised us in a new Dublin suburb on the banks of the Grand Canal. It is a place defined by hard-working people. People determined to give their children the best start in life,” he said. He added that he had met his wife Jennifer as a teenager and described her as his “rock”.

Gavin concluded his address with a commitment to become a president “for every section of our society”. 

Former Dublin GAA player Dean Rock spoke at the launch today, as did local business owner Sinéad Donnelly.