The local election ballot in Roscommon has been postponed for a week following the death of a Fine Gael councillor.
Councillor Gerry Donnelly from Athleague died suddenly yesterday.
The Department of the Environment said it was expected the poll for the Roscommon local electoral area (LEA) would now take place on Saturday June 19th.
The returning officer has, in accordance with the law governing local elections, countermanded the poll for Roscommon local authority area and a fresh election will be held for the area.
The remaining candidates at the countermanded election will be deemed to have been nominated for the fresh election, but new nominations will be received between 10 a.m. tomorrow and midday on Friday, June 11th. Postal votes already cast at the election in the Roscommone local electoral area area will be destroyed. The election of members in the other electoral areas for Roscommon County Council, Athlone, Ballaghaderreen, Boyle, Castlerea and Strokestown will not be effected and polling in these areas will take place as scheduled on Friday June 11th.
The Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, said it was with great regret and sadness that he learnt of Mr Donnelly's death.
"Gerry had many achievements in life but his greatest public achievement was becoming Mayor of County Roscommon, a role he relished, not for its status but because he had a great sense of pride in his county. He represented the people of Roscommon with pride and integrity. Gerry was universally liked
right across the political divide, and ensured that the council chamber ran like clockwork during his term of office."
Mr Donnelly was elected to Roscommon County Council in 1991.
He is survived by his wife Teresa, five sons and two daughters.