The Brideswell native said he made the decision due to the party's directive yesterday confirming it would only run one candidate in the forthcoming General Election. 

An investigation has also been launched into the theft of a vehicle from a private property in the county overnight.

TD Martin Kenny will stand on the Leitrim side of the constituency, and the party will also select a Sligo candidate.

The occupants of the car were disturbed during a break in and left the scene in a black VW Golf.

Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane brought the issue of falling Garda numbers in the region to the floor in the last hour following a spate of recent burglaries.

The party has confirmed it will select just one General Election candidate at its convention next Thursday.

Donal Dobson's watchmakers and jewellers first opened in 1977, and is shutting down on Saturday

Around 100 people gathered in the Athlone Springs Hotel in Monksland last night to share their views.