Northern Ireland

Gerry Adams 'emotional' at stepping down as TD

Former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams
Former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams Former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams

FORMER Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has said he is "emotional" at stepping down as a TD for Louth.

The veteran politician, who led his party between 1983 and 2018, has announced he will not be seeking re-election in the Republic's general election on February 8.

He had represented Louth in the Dáil since 2011.

At a party meeting in Dundalk, Mr Adams told Sinn Féin activists he was proud to have represented the constituency.

"As my term as a TD for Louth comes to an end, I have to confess to being emotional about departing after serving the people of this constituency for nine years," he said.

"I am deeply indebted to the citizens who elected me in 2011 and again in 2016 with Imelda Munster.

"I want to thank all of them and also my comrades in Sinn Féin."

Mr Adams warned that although work had been done to ensure there will be no physical infrastructure on the border after Brexit, "there is much more work to been done to protect our economies north and south and to oppose the efforts by the British to dilute the rights agenda in the north."

The 71-year-old wished his colleagues well in next month's poll.

"I welcome the calling of the election and the opportunity for Sinn Féin to persuade voters to elect an even stronger Sinn Féin team," he said.

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