Fianna Fáil MEP for Ireland South Brian Crowley has withdrawn his name as a candidate for his party's nomination in the forthcoming Presidential election.
Within Fianna Fáil, Mr Crowley had been many people's preferred choice as the party's candidate in the presidential election.
This was based on his proven vote-getting ability and poll-topping performances in the Munster - later Ireland South - constituency in successive European Parliament elections.
Twice in recent months he indicated to Micheál Martin and Fianna Fáil his willingness to run for the presidency.
In an interview with RTÉ News, Mr Crowley said he would not be seeking the nomination because the party leadership made it clear it did not see an internal Fianna Fáil candidate as the way forward.
Mr Crowley described the decision as a mistake and said he believed Fianna Fáil should be running an internal party candidate.
Mr Crowley refused to say if he felt the handling of Fianna Fáil's candidacy in the Presidential election reflected badly on Micheál Martin's leadership of the party, and he said he bore no animosity towards him.
However, he said he believed he could have won the Presidency if he had gone forward and was nominated, even - as he described it - in the difficult circumstances Fianna Fáil finds itself in at present.
Mr Crowley did not rule out running for the Presidency in the future.
Micheál Martin has said he respects Mr Crowley's decision and that a final decision on the party's strategy for the Presidential election will be made 'in the coming weeks'.
- Keywords:
- president,
- arás an uachtaráin,
- fianna fáil,
- micheál martin
