Eugene Murphy leaves Fianna Fáil to run as independent in general election
Senator Eugene Murphy said he has a 'significant' number from within the Fianna Fáil party locally who will be supporting his campaign.
Senator Eugene Murphy has left Fianna Fáil and will run as an Independent in the upcoming general election.
It comes after the party failed to select him in the Roscommon Galway constituency, instead choosing GP Martin Daly in a one candidate strategy.
Announcing his split from Fianna Fáil, he said: “I've had sleepless nights over the last week about doing this.
“So, it came down to be a clear decision as to whether I could put party before my county, and I am not prepared to do that to Co Roscommon.”
The former TD, who lost his seat in 2020, had hoped to regain his seat for Fianna Fáil but will now stand as an independent.
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Mr Murphy said he has a “significant” number from within the Fianna Fáil party locally who will be supporting his campaign.
He had been in discussions with Michael Fitzmaurice about running under the Independent Ireland banner but this did not materialise.
Speaking on Shannonside Radio, he said Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin had contacted him, during which Mr Murphy stressed that if he wasn’t selected the party would not have a candidate in the Roscommon part of the constituency.
He said he will run a positive campaign focusing on his record as a public representative for the people of Roscommon and East Galway.
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