Ex-TD says she does not have the support of Fine Gael headquarters.
Former Fine Gael TD Kate O'Connell has said she won't contest the by-election in Dublin Bay South.
The pharmacist has claimed she's not the desired candidate of party HQ and it's become clear she wouldn't win a selection convention.
Kate O'Connell is out. She says she won't run as there is a "faction" which had planned her replacement within FG.
— Paul Hosford (@PTHosford) May 7, 2021
"There has been for the last number of years a certain faction which has planned my exit."
O'Connell said her relationship with Leo Varadkar never recovered after she backed Simon Coveney in the last Fine Gael leadership contest.
The former TD has said she won't contest the by-election in her constituency as an independent and will remain a party member.
It's expected local councillor James Geoghegan will secure the party nomination.
Kate O’Connell ruled out of Dublin byelection due to ‘lack of leadership support’ - @harrymcgee reports
— Simon Carswell (@SiCarswell) May 7, 2021
Former FG TD said it was clear she was ‘not the desired candidate’ & claimed there were people within her party who had ‘planned my exit’https://t.co/BNQ8jStBxK
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