Senator and former MP Shane Cassells retires from politics – The Irish Times

Fianna Fáil Senator Shane Cassells said he had retired from politics because he felt he had nothing more to contribute after 25 years in public life.

The 46-year-old Meath politician said he has been involved in politics as a local councillor, senator and MP since he was 21. He will remain in the Seanad until the next general election, which must be held in March 2025, but will not stand.

“I was a councillor for 16 years and an MP and Senator in the Oireachtas for nine years,” he said. “I'm out of public life now. I really enjoyed it. It was a privilege. But I'm done with public life.”

Mr Cassells was expected to seek nomination for the Meath West constituency in the general election, seeking to regain the seat he won in 2016 but lost in 2020. The other prominent candidate seeking nomination for this week's party conference is councillor Aisling Dempsey, the daughter of former MP and minister Noel Dempsey.

Mr Cassells said he had come to this decision some time ago and that there were no pressures or extenuating circumstances behind it.

In a statement, party leader and Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin said Mr Cassells had done “much for his county and town of Navan”.

“I have spoken to Shane and have great respect and admiration for Shane's work over the years, but I completely understand his reasons for wanting to start a new chapter in his life.”

The party conference for Meath West will take place on Thursday. The party has not announced whether it will pursue a single-candidate or two-candidate strategy in the three-seat constituency. The current MPs are Johnny Brady (Sinn Féin), Peadar Tóibín (Aontú) and Damien English (Fine Gael).

The constituency still has three seats following the latest boundary changes. Some parts of Westmeath that were previously part of the constituency have now returned to Longford-Westmeath.

Ms Dempsey, who lives in Trim, was easily re-elected to Meath County Council at the June election.