Mitchell Not 'Doomed', Say FG

Responding to a report by the Irish Independent, Fine Gael (FG) have spoken out against claims that Gay Mitchell's chances in the presidential election are "doomed".

The newspaper report said: "Fine Gael will mount a desperate attempt to 'save face' after party insiders accepted that Gay Mitchell's chances of becoming the next president are now doomed."

This comes after the latest Ipso MRBI poll saw Fine Gael candidate Mr Mitchell tumbling 12 points to 9% as voters appeared turned off by his combative attacks on rival Martin McGuinness.

Fine Gael are refuting claims that some members of the party believe Gay Mitchell's chances for the Presidency are "doomed".

Many political analysts have argued in recent days that his attack on McGuinness' background may not have gone down well with the electorate.

McGuinness came under fire from fellow candidate Mr Mitchell, once again for his connection to the IRA, during the second electoral debate aired on TV3.

Mr Mitchell said: "I ask questions about Martin McGuinness because Martin has raised these questions himself. I'm talking about issues he's raising now. These are legitimate questions to raise."

"I'm not ashamed of anything I have done," McGuinness said after the debate. "I joined the IRA when I was very young. The people of Derry were being beaten off the streets. "They were being shot off the streets by the British Army…What was I to do? We fought back. Am I ashamed of that? Not on your nelly."

McGuinness has been placed in the top third by polls.

The opinion poll, conducted by Red C for Paddy Power, shows Michael D Higgins at 25%, up 7%.

Sean Gallagher stands at 21%, up 10%.

Martin McGuinness is holding his own at 16%, while there has been a drop in support for David Norris - who is down seven at 14%.

Gay Mitchell is at 10%, down 3%, and Mary Davis is also at 10%, down three. Dana Rosemary Scallon is at 5%, a drop of one.

(LB/BMcC)