Tributes have been paid to Marese Skehan, the independent election candidate who was found dead yesterday at her home in Thurles.
Many of the county’s election candidates have temporarily suspended their campaigns as a mark of respect to Ms Skehan.
Meanwhile, the passing of the independent candidate means that Co Tipperary will no longer be voting at the same time as the rest of the country.
Tipperary’s Returning Officer James Seymour told Tipp Mid West this morning that while all other nominees will remain on the nomination paper, nominations will have to reopen for any new candidates that may wish to put themselves forward. It is anticipated that this could take effect from midday tomorrow and last for seven days.
Postal votes will have to be issued, as will new ballot papers and around 900 special votes for people who are unable to go to a polling centre (such as nursing home residents).
The estimated 700 postal votes, which have already been cast by members of the Defence Forces for example, will have to be destroyed and reissued. A period of time will have to be given to allow new postal votes to return.
Because of this, Mr Seymour estimates that voting in Co Tipperary may be delayed until February 28th or 29th – or even later. But that is a decision for Minister Eoghan Murphy to make.
It is expected that an announcement in in relation to the Register of Electors will be made later today.
