Confirmed - Larkin won't run as an independent

Letterkenny-based politician Dessie Larkin has tonight confirmed that he will not contest the election ending rumours that he would stand as an independent candidate.

There had been speculation that councillor Larkin would stand as an independent in Donegal North East after he failed to be added to the Fianna Fáil ticket following Niall Blaney's shock decision not to contest the election.

However, speaking on Highland Radio tonight, councillor Larkin says there is no doubt that his party requires a review and "a lift from the grass roots up," but said he hopes to be able to do that from within the party.

Fianna Fáil will be hoping that their members get fully behind the campaign of their single candidate Charlie McConalogue now, but many have tipped Labour's Jimmy Harte to gain significantly from the fact that councillor Larkin is not running.

The entry into the field of independent candidate Dessie Shiels - a Letterkenny-based solicitor - may however mean that he could now take some of the vote that may well have gone to councillor Larkin.

Candidates have until 12 noon tomorrow (Thursday) to hand in their nomination papers.