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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Sam Roberts

Fine Gael's Maria Bailey releases statement confirming she will not run in General Election 2020

Fine Gael TD Maria Bailey has announced that she will not be running for re-election.

The Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown representative, who last year became embroiled in the infamous 'Swing-gate' controversy, was told by Fine Gael in November that she would not be allowed to run for the party in the next election.

It came after Ms Bailey was publicly slammed for taking legal action against a hotel for a swing-chair fall.

She dropped her case last May after it emerged that she ran a 10km race just three weeks after the incident.

Maria Bailey TD at Leinster House on kildare Street , Dublin. (Collins Photo Agency)

And now the politician has revealed she will not be running in the next election.

She said: "It is with great sadness that after 16 years as an elected representative in Dun Laoghaire, I will not be standing in this election.

"This is a role that I have been truly passionate, proud and humbled by. Both myself and my late father John Bailey enjoyed working for the people of Dun Laoghaire and it was a privilege to be their voice and public representative."

Ms Bailey went on to say that the last year had been "extremely difficult" time for her.

She added: "The past number of months have been extremely difficult for me both privately and politically, and there are a number of people I would like to thank for their kindness and support.

"Firstly, the team in my office whose support never wavered.

"The staff of the Oireachtas, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and my elected colleagues of all parties for their unfailing courtesy throughout.

"My constituents who gave me the honour of representing them and becoming the 100th woman elected to Dail Eireann in 2016."

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