Norris withdraws from presidential race

David Norris has withdrawn from the race for the presidency of Ireland.

Norris' candidacy had been rocked by the revelation that in 1997 he wrote a letter to Israeli authorities urging a non-custodial sentence for his former partner, who was convicted of the statutory rape of a 15-year-old Palestinian boy.

Independent deputies Finian McGrath, John Halligan and Thomas Pringle announced yesterday evening that they were withdrawing their support for the Senator's Áras bid.

Barnardos Chief Executive Fergus Finlay - who had campaigned for the Labour Party nomination - today said Senator Norris should step out of the race.

Deputies Halligan and McGrath had also called on Senator Norris to end his run.

Senator Norris needed the signatures of 20 Oireachtas members, including his own, if he is to contest the race. Prior to the weekend revelations concerning the 1997 letter - which also prompted the resignations of several of his key campaign staff - some 14 TDs or Senators had declared their support for Norris.