Ahern says he's quitting the race to be President

FORMER Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has dropped out of the presidential race, saying he has no desire to run as an Independent candidate.

- BY AINE KENNY

Rumours had swirled for weeks that the former Fianna Fail leader was going to make a bid for president, however, his nomination was never officially announced or accepted by his party.

Mr Ahern explained his reasons for stepping back in an online message to his supporters.

“I suppose [Micheal Martin] saw in his view that there was a candidate 20 years younger and somebody from outside the party.

“In all my time in Fianna Fail, I've never seen a period where the leadership really lose out in these things.”