Independent candidate Marese Skehan from Thurles was found dead at her home on Monday.
The election of candidates will not take place in the Tipperary constituency on Saturday after independent candidate Marese Skehan passed away this afternoon.
It is understood her death is not being treated as suspicious.
Following the news of Skehan’s death, Deputy Michael Lowry has expressed his deep sadness saying: “I have known Marese for many years. She cared passionately about the plight of the underprivileged and disadvantaged and was always a great source of support and assistance to those in need. She will be sadly missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing her. Deepest condolences to her family and many friends.”
In terms of the General Election, it means that people in Tipperary will not cast their ballots with the rest of the country on Saturday.
Legislation states that if a candidate in any constituency dies after the final day for nominations, “the returning officer shall forthwith notify the Minister and the Clerk of the Dáil of the death of the candidate and at the same time, if notice of the poll has been given, he shall countermand the poll.”
Skehan’s death occurring more than 48 hours before polling means that nominations have to be re-opened by the local returning officer, who then has to give nine days for new candidates to enter the race.
The polling date will then be fixed by Minister Eoghan Murphy – whose department oversees the election – for some days after that.
This means that the election in Tipperary will be delayed and that none of the seats in the constituency will be filled this weekend.
Instead, there will have to be a vote on a later date as nominations will have to be reopened.
RTÉ has reported that the Department of Housing has confirmed that the existing field of candidates will have to be countermanded by the Tipperary returning officer.
That will mean that the make up of the 33rd Dáil is unlikely to be known next week.
