Martin moves to pull party out of presidential race

MICHEÁL MARTIN moved to pull Fianna Fáil out of a presidential election crisis and phoned party members to discuss problems about now backing a candidate for the Áras.

In a dramatic move, Mr Martin called members and discussed difficulties about now entering the race after he failed to get presenter Gay Byrne to run with the party.

Despite Fianna Fáil MEP Brian Crowley looking like the only candidate that the party can now back, Mr Martin discussed several reasons for not backing someone for the Áras.