Identity crux for new voters

THOUSANDS of non-nationals won’t be able to vote in the local elections due to a registration problem, immigration support groups claimed yesterday.

And the departments of justice and the environment were accused of foot-dragging when asked to clarify the issue. A spokesperson for the Department of Justice was unavailable to comment on the claims.

Five non-Irish candidates are contesting the elections as independents, with two Nigerians standing in Galway. Several thousand non- EU immigrants are entitled to vote.