“I got great feedback from the people of Roscommon about how I did in the debate”: Jim Gavin

Presidential candidate Jim Gavin thanked the people of Roscommon for the “great feedback” he received about his performance in last night’s first televised debate.

Mr Gavin and the two other candidates Heather Humphreys and Catherine Connolly took part in Monday's debate on Virgin Media television, the first of five presidential election debates to take place.

The Dublin native spent several hours canvassing in Roscommon Town today (Tuesday), pressing the flesh with local traders and members of the public.

During a short press conference on the square in Roscommon Town, Mr Gavin said his roots were in the west with both his father and mother hailing from West Clare.

“Clare is very much in my DNA. Rural Ireland is very much in my DNA," he said.

The Fianna Fáil candidate spoke about his familiarity with Roscommon GAA and how the late Dermot Earley had been a great mentor to him during his time in the Defence Forces.

Mr Gavin was also keen to give Club Rossie’s latest ‘Win a house’ fundraising event a plug.

When asked by the Roscommon Herald that some pundits wanted to see more of the personality of a man who guided Dublin to six All-Ireland titles, he said this was about “just being me”.

“I’m not a politician. I can’t be one. I’m against two other candidates who have been involved in policy making.

“I have been a person of action all my life. My career has been defined by helping people to be the best version of themselves.

“The learning for me is just to be myself, to show the passion that I have for my country and it would be my deepest honour to be Ireland’s first citizen,” he said.

Mr Gavin also canvassed in Monksland today as part of his Roscommon visit.