O’Flynn rules out running as independent

OUTSPOKEN Fianna Fáil TD Noel O’Flynn has ruled out standing for election as an independent candidate or running for the Seanad.

“I have retired from politics,” the 59-year-old Cork North Central TD confirmed last night.

“My constituency office will remain open until polling day to finish off some outstanding issues.

“Then I plan to ride off into the sunset and go back full-time into my business.”

Mr O’Flynn, a former city councillor who was first elected to the Dáil in 1997, confirmed he is quitting public life following his shock announcement on Sunday that he will not contest the forthcoming general election.

He said he was ready to stand, that his election literature had been printed, and his election machine was poised to begin work.

But he said he arrived at his decision to stand aside on Saturday morning, following meetings with party leader Micheál Martin on Thursday and Friday, and after he consulted with his family and election team.

He rejected suggestions that Mr Martin told him to stand aside in favour of junior minister, Billy Kelleher, as part of a one-seat strategy in the constituency.

In an interview with 96fm earlier, Mr O’Flynn said he and Mr Martin arrived at the same conclusion — that one candidate in Cork North Central was the best option for the party.

“We discussed the whole issue and we felt it was the best thing for the party if there was only one candidate running in Cork North Central,” he said.

“We know the state of the polls and what the public are saying. The public are very disappointed with, and upset with Fianna Fáil in Government, and I felt in order to save one seat, that it might be better for me to stand down, being the older person, and let Billy be the only candidate in the constituency.”

He said he was offered nothing in return, and asked for nothing.

He has now written to party members in the constituency asking them to support the party, and Mr Kelleher.

Mr Kelleher contacted Mr O’Flynn on Sunday asking if he could contact some of his canvassers.

Mr O’Flynn said it is a matter for each individual how they canvass over the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, the Socialist Party said it is now stepping up its campaign in Cork North Central in a bid to secure a seat for its candidate, Cllr Mick Barry.

The party’s general secretary, Kevin McLoughlin, said Mr O’Flynn’s withdrawal, following that of Bernard Allen, really opens up the race.

Mr Barry said Mr O’Flynn’s withdrawal represents a “desperate attempt to save Fianna Fáil’s political skin” in this constituency.

“This will not work. People will remember that Fianna Fáil is the party that bankrupted the country, introduced the Universal Social Charge and put nearly half a million on the dole,” he said.