Molloy will not run in election

Junior Minister Bobby Molloy has resigned over the controversy surrounding his approach to a judge in relation to a rape case in the west of Ireland.

The Progressive Democrats TD also announced today that he will not be running in the upcoming general election.

Yesterday, Mr Molloy admitted that the approach to Judge Phillip O’Sullivan by an official in his department was "improper" and he apologised for the incident.

However, he also insisted that he did not intend to influence the judge and was merely inquiring whether a letter from the rape victim had been delivered.

Opposition parties immediately called for the minister’s resignation, but the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste said it was not a resigning matter.