Bertie Ahern has admitted to feeling let down that Micheál Martin did not back him to stand in the Presidential Election and thinks he could have won. 

For years, Mr Ahern had politely batted away questions about whether he would like to be Ireland's 10th President. 

Many Fianna Fáil TDs were enthusiastic about the idea of their former leader standing in the election. 

However, Taoiseach Micheál Martin had other ideas; telling journalists that he did not think his predecessor could win and that a campaign would have been “incredibly bruising for him”. 

Instead, he backed Jim Gavin, whose campaign spectacularly imploded a few weeks later. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, Mr Ahern said he thought he would have won the Presidency if he had stood. 

 “Even this year, I’ve been in all 32 counties,” he explained. 

“I’ve done various functions from big to small; you have to believe you could have won.” 

When asked if he felt let down by Mr Martin, Mr Ahern admitted that he did and that this election seemed like “my time”. 

“Yeah, I do,” he said. 

“If they didn’t want me, they had an opportunity to tell me anywhere between Christmas and Easter. 

“Then I had the choice of whether to run as an independent or not, which I’d been pressed on. 

“If I had of run as an independent, my concern was that I’d be splitting the [Fianna Fáil] vote - I didn’t want to do that. 

“As it turned out now, I wouldn’t be splitting any vote but listen, it’s how it is.” 

Áras an Uachtárain. Picture by: Alamy.com.

Mr Ahern added that had hoped to spend the autumn out knocking on doors for Mr Gavin, who he described as a “fine fella” who he had known for many years. 

And while he described both Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys as “good people”, he would be voting for the Fine Gael candidate. 

“I know Heather very, very well and I’ve always found her a very caring, kind, considerate, friendly, efficient person,” he said. 

“She’s been very helpful to a lot of the work that I’ve done [in the North]. 

“I do think she’s a person who could do an awful lot of work on reconciliation and partnership that we need to build. 

“Because of her religion and her involvement in her own Church, I see that as a positive thing of building community spirit.” 

Fine Gael's candidate Heather Humphreys and independent candidate Catherine Connolly. Picture by: Conor O'Mearain / Alamy.

Despite this, Mr Ahern said there is “no doubt” that Catherine Connolly has the momentum in the race. 

“She’s obviously resonated with the public and with young people in particular," he said. 

“But not only young people; friends of mine who watched the debate strongly support her.” 

Voting will be held on Friday 24th October.

Main image: Bertie Ahern and Micheál Martin. Picture by: Niall Carson / Alamy.com.