Kildare Sinn Féin TD resigns from party

Kildare TD Patricia Ryan has resigned suddenly from Sinn Féin ahead of a general election selection convention next week.

The Monasterevin TD was among a wave of successful first time Sinn Féin general election candidates that were elected in 2020, topping the poll in Kildare South.

There had been some speculation about her candidacy in recent weeks with competition for a nomination emerging including from recently elected county councillor Shonagh Ni Raghallaigh.

In a statement released on Wednesday night, Sinn Féin Chief Whip Pádraig MacLochlainn said: “Patricia Ryan has been a Sinn Féin TD since 2020, having served on Kildare County Council in the year before that. She was a valued member of our team and I’m disappointed that she has made this decision.

“The convention for the Kildare South Constituency will take place next week, with nominations opening tomorrow morning. This is likely to be a contested convention. We encouraged Patricia to seek the nomination but she was unwilling to do so.

“She informed us today that she will not be putting her name forward, and tendered her resignation from the party.”