Jackie Cahill, Fianna Fail deputy for Tipperary.
Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill has announced his decision to not run in the forthcoming general election.
The Tipperary TD told colleagues he took the decision for personal circumstances and apologised for short notice of his decision.
In a message to party members, Mr Cahill said: “After careful consideration and following advice I received I have regretfully decided not to contest the upcoming General Election.”
“I sincerely regret the short notice of my decision but personal circumstances dictated this. I would like to sincerely thank you for the help and support you have given to me over the years,” he added.
He is understood to have contacted Fianna Fáil headquarters about this decision not to contest the election.
Mr Cahill served two terms as TD after first being elected in the 2016 General Election. He served as the chair of Oireachtas Agriculture Committee chair for the past Dáil term.
The Thurles based farmer was also the former president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA).
Michael Smith Jnr, the councillor son of a former Cabinet minister, is the favourite to replace him as the Fianna Fáil candidate.
Mr Smith Snr served as Defence Minister alongside Micheál Martin in Bertie Ahern’s governments of the late 90s and early 2000s.
Mr Cahill’s sister Kay Cahill Skehan, who is a Tipperary county councillor, may also consider putting her name before convention for the Fianna Fáil constituency ticket.
