Donegal SW candidate withdraws
One of the candidates in the Donegal South West by-election has withdrawn from the ballot.
Independent candidate Anne Sweeney called on the public to boycott the vote as "pointless" because a general election is to be held in the new year.
She also said Ireland needs a new national emergency government which will put the lives of the most marginalised to the fore.
Voters in the constituency will go to the polls on Thursday.
Ms Sweeney's name will remain on the ballot paper even though she has withdrawn her candidacy.