Eddie Hobbs has left Renua, the party he co-founded in March 2015.

Mr Hobbs had been party president, despite not running as a candidate in February’s general election.

Mr Hobbs's move follows the resignation in May of former party leader Lucinda Creighton, who lost her seat in the general election.

The party failed to get a TD elected from its 24 candidates and won just in excess of 2 per cent of first-preference votes in the election.

‘New voices’

On resigning, Ms Creighton said it was time to “allow new voices to be heard”.

She also said the party would continue and would run candidates in the next local elections in 2019, despite its lack of success in February’s vote.

Offaly county councillor John Leahy has said he wants to become leader of the party.