David Norris withdraws from presidential race

Senator David Norris has withdrawn from the Presidential campaign following the controversy over letters he wrote to the Israeli authorities.
It emerged last weekend that Mr Norris wrote a letter in 1997 to the Israeli authorities pleading for clemency for his former partner Ezra Yitzhak Nawi who had been convicted of the statutory rape of a 15-year-old boy.
Mr Norris’s campaign suffered a serious blow last night when three Independent TDs withdrew their pledge to support the Trinity Senator’s nomination.
Other members of the Dáil and Seanad who had pledged support for Mr Norris are also considering their position in the light of the disclosure that the Senator wrote a letter pleading for leniency for his former partner.
Mr Norris held a press conference in Dublin this afternoon to inform supporters he was withdrawing from the race.
"My motivation to write the letter was out of love and concern. I was eager to support someone who has been very important and continues to be important in my life," he said.
Several key members of the senator's campaign team resigned late last week as details of the letter emerged.
Dublin TD Finian McGrath said yesterday he could no longer support the nomination. Expressing deep regret for his decision, he said “children and the presidency have to come first”. Mr McGrath was the co-ordinator of the campaign to get the backing of 20 Oireachtas members for Mr Norris’s nomination.
Mr McGrath said the content of letters sent by Mr Norris had been key to his decision. "It was a very, very tough decision for me to make. But I had to put the interests and the protection of children first and I had to put the integrity of the Irish presidency first," he said.
Waterford TD John Halligan also announced he was withdrawing his support, as did Donegal South West TD Thomas Pringle.
“I believe Senator Norris is a decent man and I acknowledge the great work he has done for the less well-off in our society, particularly on civil rights issues,” said Mr Halligan. “However, I feel it was a great error of judgment on his part."
Wicklow TD Stephen Donnelly, who had also been supporting Mr Norris's bid, today said the details which had emerged at the weekend were "very serious" and that he did not approve of how the Senator had made the representations.
Barnardos chief executive Fergus Finlay said today Mr Norris should announce he is no longer seeking a nomination for the presidency.