‘I’m a young man’: Jim Gavin, 54, says he can relate to young people

Presidential candidate Jim Gavin has said he can relate to young people as he is “a young man”.

The 54-year-old said he was proud to represent Fianna Fail and is a member of the party.

The former Dublin Gaelic football manager and ex-army officer was asked about his stance on the triple lock and neutrality as well as his ability to speak Irish.

Mr Gavin became Fianna Fail’s presidential nominee last week over former junior minister Billy Kelleher.

Speaking at the National Ploughing Championships in Co Offaly, he said he had met 15-year-old disability activist Cara Darmody and other “inspirational” young people.

Asked how he would appeal to young people as a Fianna Fail candidate, when many young people blame their struggles on that party’s actions in government, he said that he is a young man.

“I’m very much focused on the future. I’m a young man, I can relate to young people,” he said.

“Even today, hearing their stories, meeting Cara (Darmody), I’ve a personal pride in them, seeing their ambition for Ireland, the ingenuity, their vision of what Ireland can be, and that’s where my focus is.”

He said he was proud to stand as a Fianna Fail candidate and that his grandparents fought in the war of independence.

He said former president Patrick Hillery, a Fianna Fail politician, was also a family friend.

“I’m a Fianna Fail member. You know, my mum and dad came from west Clare, it’s a staunch Fianna Fail part of the country, and I’m very proud to represent Fianna Fail and look forward to meet Fianna Fail members and people who have no party on the campaign.”

He said he would share his vision for the presidency at his campaign launch next week.

Mr Gavin also said he was in favour of removing the triple lock for deploying Irish troops abroad, but said it was a “personal opinion” and as president he would have “no political influence”.

On his Irish-speaking skills, he said: “I’m very proud of my Irish. I’m not as confident, if I’m very honest, as I used to be in Irish, I would have attended the Gaeltacht as a young guy growing up.

“It’s very much part of me and, regards what happens in this presidential campaign, I will be getting better at it.”