LIMERICK County councillor Eddie Wade has announced that he will not stand in the forthcoming local elections this May on health grounds.
A member of the local authority since 1979 and Cathaoirleach on three occasions, the Fianna Fáil representative has been a regular on the local, and indeed, national political arena for nigh on 35 years.
A councillor for the Castleconnell electoral area, he has over the years championed the old, infirm and weakest in our society, with particular emphasis on people with disabilities.
A Former TD, the County Limerick man was often controversial and always outspoken.
He told the Limerick Post that following medical treatment for Type 1 Diabetes, he was advised that it would be better not to stand in next May’s local elections.
“I have 35 years of unbroken service as a member of Limerick County Council and as I am now 65 years of age, it is now felt that for medical reasons I should withdraw as a candidate,” he said.
Cllr Wade this week wrote to Fianna Fail party leader Michael Martin informing him of the decision, which he said he reached after “extreme consideration”. He thanked the party for all the support and loyalty it has shown him during his many years in politics.
