IN THE LATEST surprise in the race for the Áras, former Met Éireann forecaster Joanna Donnelly has announced that she is making a bid for the presidency.

The high-profile weather presenter confirmed this afternoon, just 52 days before the election is due to take place, that she has contacted a number of local authorities to seek a nomination.

Donnelly quit her role at the weather service in dramatic fashion back in April by announcing her departure live on TV. 

Speaking to The Journal on seeking nomination from local authorities, Donnelly said: “I sent an email to all of them! I had zero expectations.”

She added that she sent the email to councils at midnight last night.

“I have only heard back from three councils,” she said, adding that all three - Dublin City, Sligo and Kildare – had told her that they would be meeting to discuss presidential nominations at a later date.

‘Non-political’

Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Drivetime, Donnelly said she “does not have a political party to align with” herself, but but added that she would consider an offer if one came.

On her political stance, she described herself as “somewhere in the middle.”

She added that she has not employed any staff for a political campaign, and said that she “has always been non-political”.

“I have political thoughts, I keep them to myself because I’ve been a public servant for 30 years,” Donnelly said.

She said she “expects nothing” from her Áras bid, but has put herself forward as she feels strongly about the presidency.

“I believe that a candidate needs to have certain qualities that I believe I have, and I’ve yet to see a candidate that ticks all my boxes”, she added.

Donnelly was one of the highest-profile forecasters during her time at RTÉ, presenting regular TV bulletins and penning several books about the weather, including a bestselling reference book for children. 

Earlier this year the meteorologist broke her silence on the reasons for her decision to leave Met Éireann, writing a column for the Sunday Independent, she detailed her disputes with Met Éireann management, including a row about rosters and a disagreement over outside engagements. 

Two confirmed candidates

The election is expected to take place on 24 October, with the necessary legislation to put the vote into motion set to be signed this week.

The only two confirmed candidates in the race so far are Independent TD Catherine Connolly and Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys.

Irish citizens aged over 35 can run for Áras an Uachtaran, providing they have the necessary nominations.

For a candidate to get nominated, they must either be nominated by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or four local authorities. Former or retiring Presidents can nominate themselves if they have only served one term.

With reporting from Mairead Maguire