Independent candidate Ann Sweeney has withdrawn as a candidate from the Donegal South West byelection.
The hotelier from Dunfanaghy was the only female candidate in a field of six.
Speaking this morning on Highland Radio, Ms Sweeney declared the byelection to be a 'farce' and stated her intention to stand in the general election, which is widely expected to take place early in the new year.
“As far as I am concerned this byelection is a complete farce," she said.
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"We’re going to have to go back in three weeks time and in three weeks times for the general election, I will certainly be running. I am withdrawing from this one," she added.