Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy will contest the imminent general election as an independent candidate, it has been confirmed.
Speaking to Shannonside radio this morning, Murphy said he learned his name would not be added to the FF ticket after he lost out on the selection process by a narrow margin to former IMO president Dr Martin Daly.
Senator Murphy said that his loyalty to Fianna Fáil had lasted “through thick and thin” although the party decided not to give him a Seanad nomination this time and that the decision to leave the party had come after “sleepless nights”.
He said that his decision to run as an independent was out of a desire to “put the country before the party”, and that, “This is an opportunity for all Roscommon people to stand up for our county.”
He also stated that he had been in talks with Independent Ireland leader Michael Fitzmaurice in recent days, but that no deal had been made.