Fine Gael election candidate withdraws following planning allegations

In a post on social media, Ms Agrios asked people not to vote for her as she acknowledged that “what happened was wrong”

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A Fine Gael local election candidate has urged people not to vote for her following allegations about the reason that she withdrew a planning objection.

Online news publication The Ditch reported that Louth-based candidate Marian Agrios withdrew a planning appeal.

In a post on social media, Ms Agrios asked people not to vote for her as she acknowledged that “what happened was wrong”.“Following a report published online yesterday (Monday), I wish to announce I will not be contesting the 2024 Local Elections,” she wrote.“What occurred was wrong and I was extremely sorry for it. It should not have happened. While my name remains on the ballot paper, I now ask that voters do not consider me for election“Once again, I apologise for what happened. It should not have occurred. I will not be making any further comment on this issue.”

Fine Gael deputy leader Heather Humphreys told reporters on Tuesday afternoon that Ms Agrios had done the right thing by withdrawing from the race.“I don’t actually know the person,” the Minister said.

“I was surprised to hear that. Nevertheless, she’s made the right decision as far as I’m concerned. She has withdrawn from her canvassing and she has asked that people don’t vote for her.“People do sign declarations when they put their names forward for election. As far as we’re concerned as a party, there is an internal process that we’ll go through and we’ll hear all the facts at that stage.”

Asked about ethics in public office by Labour TD Duncan Smith, who mentioned Ms Agrios’ case in the Dáil, Taoiseach Simon Harris said on Tuesday: “Cabinet today agreed to a series of amendments – several hundred amendments – to the Planning Bill that will be coming back to this house, I think on the 11th of June.

“One of them is very much in relation to that issue of spurious objections or indeed seeking money from developers to withdraw objections, which is never an acceptable situation in any manner or mean.”

A Fine Gael spokesperson said on Tuesday evening that the party has started taking down Ms Agrios’ posters.

“Marian Agrios’s campaign for the local elections in Louth has ceased. She has asked that voters do not consider her for election,” he said.

“The reported behaviour falls well short of the standards expected of any Fine Gael candidate.

“Her election posters are being taken down in the Drogheda rural local electoral area with more than half her posters already removed.

“As per her statement, what occurred was wrong and it should not have happened.