Special Olympics organiser to run for Irish presidency

Image caption, The Irish president's residence, Aras an Uachtarain

Special Olympics organiser Mary Davis has announced she intends to run for the Irish presidency.

Ms Davis is best known for bringing the Special Olympics to Ireland in 2003, as the then chief executive of Special Olympics Ireland.

In 2004, she was appointed to the Council of State by President Mary McAleese, whom she is now seeking to succeed.

The council advises the Irish president in the exercise of her powers.

The current president, Mary McAleese is from Northern Ireland.

She succeeded Mary Robinson as president.