Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Brian Walsh Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland

Just weeks out from the election, a Fine Gael TD has resigned from the Dáil

Brian Walsh had already decided not to contest the election following medical advice.

FINE GAEL TD Brian Walsh has resigned from the Dáil today.

The Galway West deputy had already decided not to contest the general election following medical advice.

His resignation from the Dáil Éireann was confirmed in the chamber by Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett this afternoon and comes just weeks before the Dáil is due to be dissolved and the election called.

Walsh, 43, withdrew his election candidacy last November after revealing that he had been experiencing health problems “for some time, which have resulted in hospitalisation on two occasions recently”.

In a statement on 10 November last, Walsh said:

I have done everything possible to resist making this decision and had hoped to overcome my condition in order to be able to continue.

“But in recent days, it has become clear that I have no choice but to accede to medical advice and withdraw my candidacy in the forthcoming general election.

“While it is with great sadness that I must step back from this role, I take solace from the fact that this will enable me to spend more time with my family.”

Walsh is a former Galway city councillor and mayor who was first elected to the Dáil in 2011. He lost the Fine Gael whip in 2013 after voting against the government on the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill.

However, he was readmitted to the parliamentary party less than a year later following a recommendation from the Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Walsh was spotted in Leinster House earlier today and there was no indication that his immediate resignation as a TD was on the cards.

There was no immediate comment from a Fine Gael spokesperson and Walsh could not be reached for comment.

Fine Gael councillor: Women should vote for female candidates from other parties

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
36 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Ward
    Favourite Brian Ward
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 5:48 PM

    In view of the fact that the man is resigning a few weeks before an election that he isn’t contesting on health grounds I think that people should think twice before people make sniping comments about him.

    244
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gregory
    Favourite gregory
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 10:32 PM

    Good comment Brian.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim Duffy
    Favourite Jim Duffy
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 5:48 PM

    No. M Bowe. He doesn’t get some special package for resigning. The reason he is resigning is simply that he is seriously ill and cannot do the job.

    171
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute .
    Favourite .
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 5:53 PM

    TD’s don’t get their pension now till age 50 Just get a lifetime parking space in the Dail Leave Westminister Parliament get made a Baron like Gerry

    62
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Fergus
    Favourite John Fergus
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 5:56 PM

    doe anyone know what the “health conditions” are?
    as much as i dislike the mirky world of politics i would not wish health misfortune on anyone. hopefully his condition will pass.

    153
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan O'connor
    Favourite Alan O'connor
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 5:39 PM

    Wow. Some serous class being shown on here.

    Ask not for whom the bell tolls.

    140
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Clay
    Favourite William Clay
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 5:46 PM

    FG don’t care about us Alan, why should we care about them. Good riddance

    96
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan O'connor
    Favourite Alan O'connor
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 6:06 PM

    It takes a special kind of person to wish further harm on a man who is clearly seriously ill. You should be very proud of yourself.

    229
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Clay
    Favourite William Clay
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 6:20 PM

    I wonder how much he cares Alan about the current health crisis? Did he have to wait on a trolley before being seen? Of course not, but then again, one rule for them isn’t it.
    And FYI, i didnt wish him harm, but don’t let that stop you from deflecting.

    67
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan O'connor
    Favourite Alan O'connor
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 6:57 PM

    And you know for a fact how he feels about the present health crisis? And you know for a fact he wasn’t on a trolley? Newsflash pal. You go in through A+E in a public hospital as a public or private patient then you wait in line like everyone. As a matter of fact there isn’t one rule for “them”, whoever “they” are.

    And the phrase “Good riddance” doesn’t suggest that you wish the man well.

    I was furious with Brian Lenihan for what he did to the country but I would not wish what he went through health wise on my worst enemy.

    You may well be gravely ill yourself someday. I suspect you might have a different view then. And I speak from experience on that one.

    124
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fiona deFreyne
    Favourite Fiona deFreyne
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 7:25 PM

    The timing is relevant. It is coming up to the GE and he has almost gone full term.,

    The article does not indicate a serious illness. Hopefully that is not the case. Many have to work through serious illnesses. Financial circumstances may compel this.

    But sometimes even a routine illness can bring a person to their right senses and focus on meaning and significance in their lives.

    It may be the case that not all FG parliamentary party members are entirely happy with the policies of austerity, cut backs and the savagery of the impact on the under privileged.

    Just because a person is a member of FG does not necessarily imply that they have lost all sense of decency. There was a time, a very long time ago, when there was a social democratic strand in FG although it is no longer a factor in FG policies.

    FG policies are now based on tax alleviation measures for the higher paid and lower public services, especially for the under paid who are unable to afford private medical health insurance.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Ward
    Favourite Brian Ward
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 8:16 PM

    Fiona, perhaps the journalist could have done a quick google search and included this link http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/80845/brian-walsh-not-standing-in-general-election-full-statement
    from last November and also quoted the man from the same article.

    “I have been experiencing health problems for some time, which have resulted in hospitalisation on two occasions recently. Thankfully, I’m currently on the mend but, unfortunately, my condition is liable to relapse or worsen unless considerable changes are made to my lifestyle.”

    That to me along with his resignation on the eve of an election sounds serious enough. I have no love for FG but I don’t believe in kicking someone when they are down. A simple inclusion of this quote would have given people more pause for thought.

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Matt Black
    Favourite Matt Black
    Report
    Jan 15th 2016, 10:41 AM

    Some good points been made here and some that are beyond the pale , I think most people would wish the man well with whatever his health issues are , as for his seat well i hope FG loose it and a lot more besides .

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Janet Coyle
    Favourite Janet Coyle
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 5:15 PM

    Pity a few more don’t go with him

    91
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bernard Cantillon
    Favourite Bernard Cantillon
    Report
    Jan 15th 2016, 9:47 PM

    You do realise he is saying he is retiring because he is unwell. Are you wishing sickness on people?

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shelly Levine
    Favourite Shelly Levine
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 5:18 PM

    I wonder did he have to wait on a chair before he got a trolley before he got a bed?

    89
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Philip Grant
    Favourite Philip Grant
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 8:32 PM

    Shelley ,I was in A&e last week ,in and out in 4 hours … Things getting better !! Let’s promote when we’ve had good experiences ..

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Beachmaster
    Favourite Beachmaster
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 5:07 PM

    I think there’s a typo in the article. It says he’s only 43.

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ben Connolly
    Favourite Ben Connolly
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 5:10 PM

    Jumping a sinking ship good man he had two chances of getting elected hopefully like most of his mates

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John B
    Favourite John B
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 5:39 PM

    That’s nice, a man with 2 hospitalizations and medical advice and you say that.

    204
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute wiklagirl
    Favourite wiklagirl
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 8:27 PM

    Beachmaster – no typo. Well, not according to Wikipedia anyway,, born Sept 72.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute liam ward
    Favourite liam ward
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 6:27 PM

    I have no time for Fine Gael or d lieing basterds that are labour as most of u know but I won’t kick anyone in d ass when there are down

    64
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Winston Smith
    Favourite Winston Smith
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 7:01 PM

    Why do some contributors feel they have to make a comment, no matter what the story, and make themselves appear more pitiful than they obviously are as they blame everyone, society, the government, the rich, the successful…on their own miserable plights. Or do these people simply crave the attention with a smart ass answer and then drool over the board all evening in the hoping that their beauty points tally will increase. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone but hopefully these people won’t face such sudden misfortune as Brian Walsh because they’d very quickly be taken out of their comfort zone of board baiting for a thrill.

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lar Cooney
    Favourite Lar Cooney
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 5:41 PM

    Fine Gael took people from the gates of hell and brought them the back to life like a wilted rose suffering from dehydration…. Well everyone except working class the disabled the sick the public sector and anyone else that ever fell on hard times.
    He should stand anyway for the laugh I heard its good for your health…..

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Oran Joyce
    Favourite Oran Joyce
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 9:18 PM

    Best of luck to him in his recovery.

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Willy
    Favourite Willy
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 5:28 PM

    Be a few more I’d expect ☺

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leo Lowe
    Favourite Leo Lowe
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 6:05 PM

    Repulsive repugnant raging rants from the reprehensible rabid rabble raging relentlessly against a restrained redoubtable ruling representative.

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute john fairclough
    Favourite john fairclough
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 6:18 PM

    Wubbish!

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leo Lowe
    Favourite Leo Lowe
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 6:34 PM

    Is adopting an alliterative account arrangement not admissible as an adequate approach to assess accurately an arbitrary assault on an ailing adversary?

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adrian
    Favourite Adrian
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 5:41 PM

    And was this medical advice from an angry constituent?

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jho Harris
    Favourite Jho Harris
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 7:35 PM

    I think the headline is yet another one to be ashamed of, though that is getting more common here. The man’s illness is hardly timed to do damage to his party but that is how the headline is designed. I wish him no harm and take no joy from his illness but after what he and his party have done to the people of Ireland. I won’t be losing sleep over him.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ben
    Favourite ben
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 5:43 PM

    And his votes with him…or will some else have them.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ben
    Favourite ben
    Report
    Jan 14th 2016, 5:48 PM

    #one

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Festival floozie
    Favourite Festival floozie
    Report
    Jan 15th 2016, 1:54 AM

    Brian Walsh has done great work for Galway. Thanks for all your hard work!

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran Leonard
    Favourite Ciaran Leonard
    Report
    Jan 17th 2016, 1:49 PM

    Leaving aside the TD`s illness – an it is obviously a serious one, how can people forget the state the country was left in by the last FF led Government? I am not a FG member and don´t even live in Ireland anymore due to the corrupt and total mismanagement of the Country. FG are fr from perfect but their governance over the last 4 years has vastly improved the economic situation in Ireland. That said, there remains much to do at all levels of society. How can people possibly contemplate returning to power those responsible for the gross incompetence which FF demonstrated prior to the last general election. FG far from perfect – but far better than the incompetent, criminal faction which governed previously. My sincerest best wishes to the ex TD and his family, and hopefully a speedy recovery.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      News in 60 seconds