There is a strong possibility that the General Election vote in the constituency of Tipperary will take place on Saturday.

The election there had been postponed following the death yesterday of Independent candidate Marese Skehan.

However, RTÉ News understands that the Attorney General's Office is tonight looking at legal arguments that claim a delay to the Tipperary vote could be unconstitutional.

This is because the Constitution states an election has to be held within 30 days of the dissolution of the Dáil.

It is believed that an order would have to be signed by the Minister for Local Government to allow the election to proceed in Tipperary on Saturday.



This would also have to take account of the fact that a deceased person's name is on the ballot paper.

Independent candidate Mattie McGrath has this evening written to the Department of Local Government warning that he will take a legal challenge next week if the vote is postponed.

Ms Skehan's death meant that that polling order in the constituency had to be countermanded yesterday by the returning officer James Seymour.

A new date had been expected at some point today and 29 February had been seen as the most likely date.