Sinnott not to contest upcoming election

Independent MEP and disability rights campaigner Kathy Sinnott has said she will not be contesting this year's General Election.

Ms Sinnott says she has been asked to run for many political parties over the past year, but has decided that she can better represent the people of Munster at European level.

She says one of the main factors contributing to the decision is her recent election as Vice President of the EU Petitions Committee.

Ms Sinnott narrowly failed to win a Dáil seat in Cork South Central five years ago and also failed in her subsequent campaign for a Seanad seat.

She was elected as MEP for Munster in 2004.