A candidate in the recent local elections in Donegal was released from prison on Friday after serving two days of a 14-day sentence for failing to pay a court fine in Derry.
Dr Anne McCloskey (67) of Chapel Road in Derry, was freed after her fine was paid by a number of former patients.
The retired GP appeared at Derry Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday following the non-payment of a £255 fine which was imposed in 2022 for a breach of Covid regulations.
She was released from the women’s prison at Hydebank Wood YOC complex on Friday afternoon when her fine was paid by former patients at Shantallow Health Centre.
In September 2022, she was fined £240 for breaching Covid-19 regulations while speaking at an anti-lockdown rally in Derry. She was given an immediate warrant to pay the amount or to go to prison for 14 days.
McCloskey ran in the local elections for the Letterkenny LEA two weeks ago, getting just 150 first preference votes. The former Aontú councillor ran in the 2024 elections under the far-right Irish People Party.
She is also running as an independent in the Foyle Constituency in the upcoming UK General Election.