Dana May Throw Hat In Ring For Irish Presidency

Former Irish presidential candidate Dana Rosemary Scallon is considering putting her name forward for the third time - after potential rival Senator David Norris quit the race.

He withdrew following a scandal over his clemency plea for a former gay lover convicted of the statutory rape of a teenage boy.

The 1970 Eurovision Song winner is on a week's holiday in the US but is assessing her options after a "substantial number of people" asked her to run.

If Ms Scallon (59) entered the contest, it would represent a major turnaround from last May when she said that a presidential run was "not on the radar".

It is now seven years since the Londonderry woman lost her MEP seat in the Republic, memorably declaring: "Like Schwarzenegger, I'll be back."

Her brother and former campaign manager, John Brown, said her consideration of running for the presidency had been prompted by calls from supporters rather than Mr Norris's departure from the race.

"It's something that has been ongoing," he said.