A total of 12 candidates to contest general election in Laois

TWELVE candidates submitted their nomination papers by closing time today Saturday 16 November to contest for three seats the 34th Dáil from the Laois constituency.

Five of the 12 are contesting as Independent (non-party candidates), two from Fianna Fáil, one each from Fine Gael, Aontú, People Before Profit, Sinn Féin and the Green Party.

The last of the candidates to submit their nomination form was former Fianna Fáil cllr Pauline Flanagan. 

She ran in the 2020 general election for the party but was unsuccessful in attaining a seat in the old five seater Laois/Offaly constituency. 

She left the party and stood unsuccessfully as an Independent candidate in the June Local election in the Portlaoise Municipal District.

Another late entrant into the race was Independent candidate Jason Phelan. Little known on the local political scene, he said he intends running his campaign through social media sites.

The final line-up now has an equal gender divide. There has never been a female elected to Dáil Éireann from Laois.

Candidates can withdraw their nominations by Monday 18 November.

The full list of candidates, as they will appear on the ballot papers on polling day Friday 29 November are:

*AIRD Willie - Fine Gael.

*FLANAGAN Pauline - Non-Party.

*FLEMING Sean – Fianna Fáil.

*HAND Mary - Aontú.

*LYNCH Jason – Non-Party.

*MCCORMACK Maria – Sinn Féin.

*MORAN Aisling – Non-Party.

*MOONEY Ken – People Before Profit.

*MULLALLY Elaine - Non-Party.

*PALMER Rosie – Green Party.

*STACK Austin – Fianna Fáil.

*STANLEY Brian – Non-Party.

**See details on the candidates by clicking on the tabs below*.