MSNBC News Services
updated 1 hour, 29 minutes ago
DUBLIN, Ireland - Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, who helped broker peace in Northern Ireland but couldn't survive a scandal over his collection of cash from businessmen, announced Wednesday he will resign.

Flanked by his senior Cabinet ministers, Ahern told a surprise news conference he would step down May 6. He denied ever receiving a corrupt payment, but conceded that 18 months of growing criticism of his explanations had taken a toll on the effectiveness of his government.

"Never, in all the time I've served in public life, have I put my personal interests ahead of the public good," Ahern said during a 10-minute statement during which his voice frequently wavered with emotion.

"I have never received a corrupt payment and I've never done anything to dishonor any office I have held. ... I know in my heart of hearts, I've done no wrong and wronged no one," said Ahern, 56, who has been Ireland's leader for 11 years.

Unprecedented economic boom
His 2 1/2 terms in office have been marked by unprecedented economic success at home and peace in the neighboring British territory.

But Ahern's hold on power has been steadily weakening since investigators discovered cash payments he secretly received from businessmen in the mid-1990s.

Ahern initially claimed to have received just two major payments from personal friends. But the investigation since has uncovered about a dozen undocumented cash deposits in 1994 to Ahern, who is due to resume testimony next month.

Investigators say they have uncovered more than $150,000 in undocumented cash deposits to Ahern.

Washington speech
The announcement follows a string of embarrassing appearances by Ahern in the witness stand at an anti-corruption tribunal.

Ahern said he intended to remain in office until he delivers a speech to the joint houses of U.S. Congress in Washington April 30. He said that speech would be "one of the proudest moments of my political career."

Ahern, one of Europe's longest serving heads of government, had previously said this would be his last term in office but that he did not intend to go until it ended in 2012.