A Co Sligo farmer who went to jail in a row over hillwalkers on his land withdrew yesterday from next month's local elections.
Mr Andy McSharry cited lack of support from other farmers as the reason, and accused IFA supporters of not backing him. The IFA, however, said it had shown Mr McSharry ample support.
He was running as an Independent for the Drumcliffe area on Sligo County Council. Although locals believed his campaign lacked sufficient support, his sudden withdrawal was a surprise.
He was still campaigning vigorously until 24 hours before his announcement. Mr McSharry (41), was jailed for two weeks in January for refusing to pay a €300 fine for threatening hillwalkers on his land on the foot of Ben Bulben.
His election withdrawal announcement yesterday coincided with his resignation as a member of the IFA. He said he was very disillusioned with the lack of support for his cause.
"I've been banging my head off the wall for the past three weeks or more since I announced I was running for election. IFA supporters are not backing me.
"They are more or less stabbing me in the back so I have decided to pull out."
The IFA last night denied back-stabbing. A spokesman said that, on the contrary, the organisation had demonstrated ample support for Mr McSharry when he went to jail.