Tipperary-South election date set

The Tipperary-South by-election will take place on Saturday June 30.

Minister for the Environment Noel Dempsey announced the date this afternoon to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Fine Gael TD Teresa Ahern last year.

This is the first time that an election will take place on a Saturday.

Noel Dempsey is hoping that it will encourage a greater turn out with by-elections experiencing a lack of interest from voters.

So far, four candidates have declared their interest in running - Fine Gael senator Tom Hayes, Fianna Fail councillor Michael Maguire, Labour's Dennis Landy and Phil Prendergast from the Workers and Unemployed Action Group.

The polling will take place between 9am and 10pm.