Mairead McGuinness has withdrawn from the race to become president of Ireland.

The former European Commissioner said she made the decision based on medical advice.

“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.

ADVERTISEMENT

“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. I am taking this decision on medical advice and while it is extremely difficult, it is the right decision for me and my family.”

She said her focus is now her health and her family and asked for privacy in the time ahead.

Shock

Tánaiste and leader of Fine Gael Simon Harris said the news had come as an awful shock to the party.

“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 now not 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,” he said.

He said the party will “consider further” the presidential election in the coming days and that the Fine Gael executive council will convene to do this.

Tribute

“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 sending her every good wish and thought,” he said.