16 candidates now vying for one of Clare’s four Dáil seats in what could be the longest ballot paper ever in the county’s history.
Independents make up the majority of the TD hopefuls with 9 non party members seeking election, including disabilities campaigner Patrick Brassel from Newmarket on Fergus.
Three women, who are part of a new group titled "Balance the Ballot" were also the among last to lodge their papers with the county register today.
Ann Cronin, Madeline McAleer and Sarah Ferrigan decided to contest the election in protest at the lack of women in politics, particularly here in Clare.
Chairman of the Ennis hospital development committee, Ciaran O’Dea, had said that he was considering running but in a statement to Clare FM, he says he has declined to enter the race.
