Keane pulls out of race to become next HSE chief

HEALTH Minister Mary Harney’s firm favourite to succeed Prof Brendan Drumm as head of the health service has dropped out of the running for the top management post.

Just four months before the current HSE chief executive’s five-year term comes to an end, Prof Tom Keane has confirmed that he is no longer considering becoming his replacement.

The former interim national director for cancer control removed his name from a shortlist of applicants after meeting HSE board members for the second time last week.