Deadline To Contest EU Elections Has Passed

The deadline to contest the European elections has passed.

Candidates had until midday to lodge their submission, in the hope of being chosen as one of 13 Irish MEPs.

Shortly before the close of nominations, 18 had declared for Ireland South, which covers Clare, while its reported a further 5 were added to the list before the deadline.

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Ireland will elect 13 MEPs, two more than last time, but the extra two may have to wait until an agreement is reached on Brexit.

If the UK leaves the EU by polling day the extra two will be able to take up their seats, with Dublin and Ireland South to gain one seat each.

The confirmed candidates so far for Ireland South include outgoing Fine Gael MEP’s Deirdre Clune and Sean Kelly, and Sinn Fein’s Liadh Ní Riada.

Andrew Doyle is running for Fine Gael, while Fianna Fáil’s Malcolm Byrne and Billy Kelleher are also hoping for a seat.

Independents Dolores Cahill, Paddy Fitzgerald, Theresa Heaney, Liam Minehan, Diarmuid O’Flynn and Walter Ryan-Purcell are also in the race.

Mick Wallace is running for Independents for Change, for Direct Democracy Ireland, it’s An De Ven, Grace O’Sullivan is representing the Green Party, Peter O’Loughlin is running for Identity Ireland, and Adrienne Wallace from Solidarity-People Before Profit is also hoping for a seat.

Sheila Nunan is running for Labour, though her candidacy hasn’t yet been confirmed by the returning officer.