Shock in Tipperary as Alan Kelly resigns as Labour leader

Tipperary Labour TD Alan Kelly announced last night he is resigning as Labour leader after less than two years in the role, citing the loss of his party colleague's collective confidence in his leadership as the reason for the very unexpected announcement.

The news came as a shock in Deputy Kelly's home constituency, particularly in North Tipperary where he is best known and supported. The Portroe native said the party had discussions in recent weeks and that the news came as a surprise to him during a press conference on the plinth of Leinster House last night, where an a visibly emotional Deputy Kelly was flanked by his wife and children.

It is understood Deputy Kelly was approached on Tuesday by three members of the parliamentary party to tell him the party had lost confidence in him - Dublin Fingal TD Duncan Smith, Cork East TD Seán Sherlock and Senator Mark Wall.

He said he regretted that the party had not been able to make progress in the polls and did not get a bounce over the past two years and that the pandemic had made it difficult for him to meet the public.

He said he would continue as a TD for Tipperary and that he plans to contest the next election, and stay on in his role until a new leader is appointed.

He became Labour leader in April 2020 following the general election earlier that year, beating Aodhán O Ríordáin in the race to succeed Brendan Howlin. "I will always support the Labour party," he said, whom he had spent most of his life working for.

He thanked his family and during the press conference turned to his wife Regina and two children and said he looks forward to the opportunity to spend mush more time with them.

It's understood that Ivana Bacik, who won a seat in the Dublin Bay South constituency last July, will become the next Labour leader.

The 47 year old politician has been a TD for Tipperary since the 2016 general election and a TD for the Tipperary North constituency from 2011 to 2016.

He previously served as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and Deputy leader of the Labour Party from 2014 to 2016 and Minister of State for Public and Commuter Transport from 2011 to 2014.

He was a Member of the European Parliament for the South constituency from 2009 to 2011 and a Senator for the Agricultural Panel from 2007 to 2009