John Hillery has withdrawn as a candidate for Fianna Fáil in the next General Election.
The Spanish Point psychiatrist had been nominated by the party to run alongside Timmy Dooley, but is now withdrawing from the race for personal reasons.
John Hillery was seen by many as a strong contender to win a Dáil seat after he was selected as a candidate by Fianna Fáil members last April.
He polled 6,000 first preference votes during the party’s worst ever general election in 2011, and Fianna Fáil were hopeful that he, and TD Timmy Dooley, were in prime position to win back a second seat here.
Those plans now need to be re-drawn however, after today’s shock news that Dr. Hillery is withdrawing from the race.
He has confirmed his decision to Clare FM this lunchtime, citing personal reasons that are not related to any political matters whatsoever.
Fianna Fáil will now select another Clare candidate in Clare.
The party had mandated an East/West split in votes at convention in April, so Rita McInerney from Doonbeg – who was defeated in a vote on that night – is now a possible contender, while speculation may also centre around Michael ‘Malty’ McDonagh from Miltown Malbay who ran for the party in 2016, but withdrew his name for consideration at this year’s convention.
Meelick Councillor Cathal Crowe has made no secret of his desire to run for the Dáil, but the party’s overall strategy would have to change if he was to be nominated, and it remains to be seen if another name will emerge.
