Election director Mara to step down

PJ Mara has announced that this will be his last campaign as Fianna Fail's director of elections.

PJ Mara has announced that this will be his last campaign as Fianna Fail's director of elections.

PJ Mara at a Fianna Fail conference last week
PJ Mara at a Fianna Fail conference last week

Speaking on RTÉ television as results from around the country showed another strong vote for Fianna Fail, Mr Mara said he was intending to step down as soon as the full count was in.

Mr Mara - who memorably launched Fianna Fáil's 2002 election campaign with the words "It's showtime" - has been the party's director of elections for the last three elections.

He was also government Press Secretary and adviser to Charles Haughey during his years as Fianna Fáil leader and taoiseach.