Local shock as Mairead McGuinness withdraws from presidential race

Shock has been expressed locally after Fine Gael's nominee for the presidential election, Mairead McGuinness, pulled out of the presidential race.

In a statement issued earlier this afternoon, she described the decision as "very difficult" and that it was taken on medical advice.

She added that her decision to pull out was not taken lightly, and was made following a stay in hospital last week.

Local Fine Gael senator Gareth Scahill has been reacting to the news:

Former Fianna Fáil politician, Eugene Murphy, says the race is now wide open:

Political analyst Johnny Fallon has also been reacting to the news: