FG’s John Deasy will not seek re-election due to health concerns

Fine Gael TD John Deasy did not seek re-election at a selection convention for the party in Waterford last night.

Mr Deasy’s name did not go forward at the convention.

It is understood Mr Deasy informed the party he would not be available to run in a snap general election due to health concerns.

Mr Deasy said it would not be feasible for him “to run if an election had been called immediately”.

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He had contacted Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and party general secretary Tom Curran of his decision.

The directive was then changed to allow Mr Deasy be added to the ticket at a later stage.

The convention, meanwhile, was informed Mr Deasy is not a paid member of the party.

He was not present at the convention last night. Senator Paudie Coffey was chosen as the general election candidate.

Mr Deasy has been a TD for Waterford since 2002. He was appointed as a special envoy to the United States Congress to work for undocumented Irish by the Taoiseach  earlier this year.