Fair City's Clelia Murphy is exiting the soap series

Clelia Murphy, who played Niamh Brennan on RTE's Fair City, has exited the soap series "for the forseeable future."

In a statement given to RTE Entertainment, it was confirmed that "Clelia Murphy has decided to exit the soap for the foreseeable future with her character Niamh Brennan's exiting storyline playing out on screen next month."

The character, however, is not being killed off - but rather there is a surprise twist in store for fans. The statement goes on to say that "(she'll) be greatly missed, but you never know when Niamh Brennan might reappear in Carrigstown to ruffle feathers like only she can!"

Clelia Murphy has played the role of Niamh Brennan for the past twenty-two years and was involved in some of the soap's key storylines through the years.

Via RTE