Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has resigned from Fianna Fáil in the wake of a corruption inquiry, but insisted the findings of the investigation had dealt him a grave injustice.
Fianna Fáil's National Executive had been due to vote on a motion to expel him and other colleagues named in the Mahon report next week - but his announcement has pre-empted that move.
"The last thing I want to do, given that I have now retired as a public representative, is to be a source of political division in the party I care so deeply about," he said.
"I appreciate the support that party members have pledged to me unprompted in the past week."
"I have decided the best way that I can now serve Fianna Fáil is to tender my resignation as a member of the party." Mr Ahern, who revealed his decision in a Sunday Independent article, said leaving Fianna Fáil was a "political decision" and insisted it should not be interpreted as an admission of wrongdoing.
He said he left with “immense sadness and genuine regret” but also with a deep affection for the grassroots members of the party.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin confirmed on Friday his intention to seek the expulsion of Mr Ahern, former EU commissioner Pádraig Flynn and three others following criticism of them in the report.
Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan has instructed the head of the Criminal Assets Bureau to take charge of investigations arising out of the tribunal's report which identified widespread dishonesty and corruption in public life.
Chief Supt Eugene Corcoran, a qualified barrister, is to assemble a team of officers specialising in white-collar crime and fraud to review the 3,270-page report.
Mr Ahern has signalled an intent to challenge the findings of the tribunal, claiming they were not infallible. “This week has been an extremely difficult and emotional one for me,” he said.
"I am hurt and disappointed by the findings of the Mahon tribunal. At the outset, I want to make it clear I have done nothing wrong or dishonest."
"I never took a corrupt payment from anyone and I told the truth to the Mahon tribunal about my finances and the difficult personal circumstances I found myself in."
"I believe a grave injustice has been done to me. I bear the members of the tribunal no ill-will. They faced a daunting task. But their findings in relation to me are not correct. They are plain and simply wrong."
"I have to be true to myself. It would be far easier for me to say nothing and try to forget about this nightmare."
"But I can’t allow this blemish on my character to go unanswered. What has been said about me is erroneous, unwarranted and unjust."
"And I am under no doubt these findings have damaged my reputation. I am now actively considering my options as to how I can and I will vindicate my good name."
Additional reporting by PA