Image: Fianna Fáil

TD FOR CORK East Ned O’Keeffe announced that he would not contest the general election last night, after successfully holding a Dáil seat since 1982.

O’Keeffe has said that he is stepping aside in favour of his son, councillor Kevin O’Keeffe, who will run alongside sitting TD Michael Ahern. Kevin O’Keeffe has member of Cork County Council since 1997.

Speaking at a convention in Midleton, Co Cork, O’Keeffe said that he was retiring after nearly three decades serving the Cork East Constituency; he said that he would be 73 by the time the next election rolled around if the Dáil ran for a full term.

The long-serving TD has been an outspoken critic of Fianna Fáil in recent weeks, describing the arrival of the IMF as disastrous; calling for Brian Cowen’s resignation; criticising the €430,000 salary of Nama boss Brendan McDonagh; and accusing the party of losing touch with ordinary people, reports the Irish Independent.

Meanwhile, Dublin North West TD Noel Ahern has also announced his intention to step down. Speaking at the constituency selection convention in Finglas last night, Ahern said that would not be contesting the next election.

Noel Ahern, brother of the former taoiseach Bertie Ahern, was first elected as a TD in 1992. He also served as the junior minister for drugs and the junior minister with responsibility for the Office of Public Works.

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