John Browne, T.D., who is retiring from the political scene. Pic: Christy Farrell.

It was announced yesterday evening (Tuesday) that Enniscorthy T.D., John Browne, (67), is  retiring from public life after 33 years in Dáil Éireann and will not be a candidate in the next General Election.

It is expected that his Fianna Fáil seat in the Wexford Constituency will be contested by his son, Cllr James Browne, who was elected to Wexford County Council in 2014.

John Browne, who has endured ill-health in recent times, was first elected in 1982 and was successful in eight successive General Elections.

He is a former Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, (2007-2008).

He also served on Wexford County Council and Enniscorthy Town Council and was one of a small number of deputies elected on a Fianna Fáil ticket in the 2011 election.