Mairead McGuinness to drop out of presidential race
Mairead McGuinness
is dropping out of the presidential election race for health reasons.
In a statement she said: 'I have made the very difficult decision to withdraw my name as the
Fine Gael
nominee for the Presidential election.
'This decision is not lightly taken and follows a stay in hospital last week.
'My priority now is my health. Given that the election is in a short couple of months, I do not believe that I have the strength to give the campaign my all.'
READ MORE
'I am taking this decision on medical advice and while it is extremely difficult, it is the right decision for me and my family.'
Ms McGuinness was one of just two official candidates in the race and she led
recent opinion
polls
.
Her surprise departure from the race throws the election wide open.
The other candidate who has enough confirmed support to secure a place on the ballot paper is Independent TD Catherine Connolly who has the backing of The Social Democrats, Labour and People Before Profit.
Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin are still deliberating on their approach to the presidential election and whether or not they will run candidates.
In recent days businessman Gareth Sheridan has announced his intention to run saying he will
seek nominations from local authorities
.
People who wish to enter the race must have nominations from 20 Oireachtas members or four county or city councils.
In her statement Ms McGuinness said: 'I appreciate that this will come as a shock and disappointment to party members and colleagues in Fine Gael, but our political family is strong.
'I have spoken with the Tánaiste and Party leader, Simon Harris, and thank him for his support and understanding.
'I also want to thank all of those people who have done so much to support me, now and in the past.
'My focus now is my health and my family, and I ask for privacy in the time ahead.'
Mr Harris said: 'Mairead McGuinness has made an incredible contribution to public life in Ireland and in Europe.
'It was our clear view in Fine Gael and the view of many people across Ireland that Mairead would make an excellent President of Ireland.
'Mairead's health will not now allow this.
'This has come as an awful shock to us all. Mairead is a valued member of our Fine Gael family. It is absolutely essential that she now prioritises her health and I know I speak for everyone when I wish her all the very best on that journey.
'In the coming days, Fine Gael, like others, will consider further the presidential election. Our Executive Council will convene to do this.
'But that's for the time ahead, not for today. Today I want to pay tribute to Mairead. I want to thank her for all she has done. I want to wish her and Tom and their family all the best at this time and she knows we are all sending her our very best.'
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