Feargal Quinn to announce he is to join Independent Alliance

Senator Feargal Quinn is to join the Independent Alliance, it has emerged. Mr Quinn is expected to confirm his decision at a press conference today. The announcement will be seen as a huge boost to the grouping headed by Independent TDs Shane Ross and Michael Fitzmaurice.

Mr Quinn joins TDs John Halligan, Finian McGrath and Tom Fleming in the grouping.

The Alliance is hoping to field a candidate in every constituency in the next general election.

Mr Quinn has been a Senator since 1993 for the National University of Ireland constituency and was re-elected in 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2011.

He also founded the Superquinn supermarket chain, which was sold in 2011 to Musgraves. He is unlikely to run in the next general election.

Mr Ross, Mr McGrath and Mr Halligan have been meeting a number of potential candidates over the past number of months. The alliance is expected to announce a number of candidates in the coming weeks.