His decision leaves Fine Gael seeking to have Maria Walsh re-elected and well known jockey Nina Carberry gaining a seat.

It's expected the party will add another candidate to the ticket in the coming months before June's election.

MEP MacManus also expressed his belief that the party can claim two seats in the constituency.

The proposal forms part of an overhaul on driving license rules across the EU.

It's going from 4 to 5 seats, after counties Laois and Offaly transfer from the South to the Midlands.

The 'Prime Time Investigates' programme showed scenes of animal abuse being carried out by certain farmers around the Country.

The meeting will focus on the specific aspect of land re-wetting and all MEP's are being invited to attend.

The Castlerea native recently highlighted the campaign by documenting the growth of his own legal supply.