Kildare minister pays tribute to Mairead McGuinness following shock withdrawal from presidential race
Martin Heydon pictured with Mairead McGuinness and Nina Carberry
Kildare minister Martin Heydon has paid tribute to Mairead McGuinness who has withdrawn from the presidential race on Thursday afternoon.
Minister Heydon is Fine Gael Director of Elections for the upcoming Presidential Elections.
He said: “I wish to join with An Tánaiste, my Fine Gael Parliamentary Party colleagues and our members in acknowledging and paying tribute to Mairead McGuinness, who has served Fine Gael and Ireland with distinction in her public life.
“The Fine Gael Executive Council will meet in the coming days to discuss the next steps, but for now, I, along with Mairead’s many friends and colleagues within the party send their very best wishes to her and her family.”
In a statement released this afternoon, Ms McGuinness 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."
In her statement, the former EU Commissioner explained: "I am taking this decision on medical advice and while it is extremely difficult, it is the right decision for me and my family.
"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."
