Dublin-West councillor David McGuinness has resigned from the Fianna Fáil party.

Mr McGuinness said in a statement: "There is a crisis of confidence in this country with regard to politics and Fianna Fáil has done nothing to rebuild the trust of the people across the communities of this country."

"Some have made the issue out to be solely about the leadership of the party - but the issue at stake is leadership in general.".

He says he will continue to represent his constituents as an Independent Dublin-West representative.

"Fianna Fáil is a party in denial who continually show they lack direction, solutions or a vision for the future of this country," Mr McGuinness claimed.

"While I have many friends within the Fianna Fáil party, I never got involved in politics to ensure the future survival of the party. My focus was and is only on the people of Dublin West," he added.

He says it is about a bigger issue than the party leadership.

Mr McGuinness contested the Dublin West by-election in 2011, following the death of Brian Lenihan.

His page has been removed from the Fianna Fáil website, and his personal website address has also been suspended.

This comes less than two weeks after now-former Fianna Fáil councillor Patrick McKee was announced as Renua Ireland's candidate in the upcoming Carlow-Kilkenny by-election.

Mr McKee accused the hierarchy of his ex-party of failing to take on the change that was required.