PRESS ASSOCIATION -- Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness is to bid to become president of Ireland in a dramatic move that has stunned Irish politics.
The Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, who is a former IRA leader but who became a champion of the peace process, will be formally endorsed by his party leadership over the weekend.
The decision is already being billed as the republican movement's most audacious political move since IRA prisoner Bobby Sands was elected an MP while on prison hungerstrike in 1981.
It is understood party strategists believe that taking part in the campaign ahead of the October polling day will help raise the profile of Sinn Fein, regardless of the result, at a time when it wants to build on its gains south of the Irish border.
But party leader Gerry Adams said Sinn Fein wants to provide a real choice in the election for the Republic's head of state and believes Mr McGuinness could be "the people's president".
Mr Adams said: "I believe that this election will give Martin the platform to continue the work which he has led in the North and in the peace process and to put it on a national footing. I believe he can be the people's president.
"If elected he will draw the average industrial wage. He will dedicate himself to a genuine national reconciliation and the unity of our people. He will personify hope in the great genius and integrity of all the people of this island - Catholics, Protestants and dissenters."
Independents Mary Davis and Sean Gallagher officially became candidates on Monday after each secured the necessary support. They are on course to fight it out with frontrunner Labour's Michael D Higgins and Fine Gael's Gay Mitchell.
Sinn Fein secured 14 seats in the Dail in the last general election, more than tripling its strength. It also took three seats in the Irish senate. The support of 20 members of the two Houses is required to mount a presidential bid, but sources confirmed Sinn Fein has secured the necessary additional backing.
Commentators had feared a lack-lustre campaign, but the Sinn Fein move is seen to have cranked-up the contest. The decision to throw Mr McGuinness's name into the race presents Sinn Fein with the tantalising prospect of the top republican holding the office in 2016, the centenary of Ireland's 1916 Easter Rising against British rule. The party will, however, be billed as outsiders in the fight for the presidency.