It comes as local authorities across the country are preparing to hold special meetings which will hear from independent candidates seeking their support.

Lecarrow native, Fr Pat, has been working in the Amazon region of Brazil for almost 50 years.

Candidates seeking to run must be nominated by four local authorities or have the backing of 20 members of the Oireachtas.

An Independent TD for Galway West, she was first elected to the Dáil in 2016.

The first ever Tour of Longford is starting at the Connolly Barracks at 10am.

The community of Ballyleague and the wider Roscommon area was plunged into grief following his death on Tuesday.

It comes after Joanna Donnelly announced she was pulling out of the race for the presidency.

The strike, which has caused significant disruption in schools, is centred around access to public service pensions and other entitlements.