Elections: Live Blog

Live election updates

00:15 - We're going to wrap up the blog now, but we'll be keeping a live spreadsheet with Dublin's results as they keep coming in over the next few hours. You'll find it at bit.ly/1lLYhGi.

 23:00 Sinn Fein's Lynn Boylan tops the poll in Dublin #ep14 

Sinn Fein's Lynn Boylan & family & friends eagerly awaiting 1st count declaration at RDS #ep14 pic.twitter.com/SnChZ8Wwkz

— Fergal O'Brien (@FergalTodayFM) May 25, 2014

 

Castlebar upd. #ep14 approx. one hour of counting left tonight. Counting continues at 9am tomorrow. Adjudication of invalid votes at 10am

— Andrea Gilligan (@andreagilligan) May 25, 2014

 

21:50 Dublin count due at 10 #ep14 

 

MEP-in-waiting Boylan is the centre of attention #ep14 pic.twitter.com/onzfF3sTsF

— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) May 25, 2014

 

 

21:40 European Parliament estimates lowest EU turnout in Slovakia at 13%

 

Lynn Boylan's makes a triumphant entrance at RDS. #ep14 https://t.co/IuRc60Nyt8

— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) May 25, 2014

 

Green Party leader & former Minister Eamon Ryan - in contention for a seat - arrives at RDS #ep14 pic.twitter.com/Rcw4viLqQf

— Fergal O'Brien (@FergalTodayFM) May 25, 2014

 

21:20 European Parliament estimates Irish Euro turnout at 51%

20:50 Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins says he's in with a fighting chance of keeping his seat in Midlands Northwest 

20:45 Counting continues in the three Euro constituencies.

20:15 745 council seats now filled

19:40 - Gavan Reilly at the RDS: The first count was due for completion a few hours ago but there's been an unexpected development: the discovery of a few bags of Euro ballot papers which had been overlooked earlier and remained uncounted.

There's been some frantic staff trying to count those papers, and then add them to the existing total. 

That does have two impacts: firstly, the first count will be delayed, and because of the hold-up, we will definitely be back here tomorrow to finish the count.

18:45 

Labour MEP Emer Costello all but concedes saying she'll "struggle to stay in the game" and retain her Dublin seat #ep14

— Fergal O'Brien (@FergalTodayFM) May 25, 2014

 

18:30 Meanwhile exit polls suggest chocolate tycoon Petro Poroshenko has won Ukraine's presidential election.

18:20 635 council seats now filled #le14

 

Few tired heads out in the RDS now. #ep14 pic.twitter.com/IflY8QxvJt

— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) May 25, 2014

 

17:30 Over 600 local council seats have now been filled #le14

 

16.38: Gavan Reilly at the RDS - Remember when Mary Harney had paint thrown over her at the opening of a hospital facility? Louise Minihan - the Eirigi councillor responsible for that - has been eliminated from the running in Ballyfermot-Drimnagh. 

16:15

Woo hoo! We have "the internet" here for #MNW #ep14. That's mille points for Castlebar and nul points for Keenagh.

— Juliette Gash (@JuGashTodayFM) May 25, 2014

 

FG camp confident of having a first count in Dublin at 4pm or so (though obviously can’t be announced) - staying here at least until 12am

— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) May 25, 2014

 

15:29 - Gavan Reilly at the RDS: There's a chance of some good news for those of us who have already spent nearly two days in the RDS. The count staff are anticipating to have their first European count finished in the next couple of hours - and while they won't be officially allowed to announce it until 10pm, they'll be allowed to keep going and carry on with second and subsequent counts.

The staff will be working until midnight, but party workers believe there's a chance of having a final result within reach by then - and if the staff believe they'll have a final result by 2am, they'll keep going to get it secured.

15:20 520 seats filled in #le14 

 

The slow process of sorting, assigning and counting of votes continues in RDS #ep14 pic.twitter.com/WIRrifxxyG

— Fergal O'Brien (@FergalTodayFM) May 25, 2014

 

14:40 Counting continues around the country

 

14:35 Taoiseach concedes that Jim Higgins is "in difficulty" in #MNW#ep14 

Agents of candidates closely examining spoilt votes at Dublin count centre in RDS #ep14 pic.twitter.com/0BrMLO5us4

— Fergal O'Brien (@FergalTodayFM) May 25, 2014

 

14:30 499 seats filled in #le14 

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams interrupted by some protestors during interview in RDS #le14 #ep14 pic.twitter.com/H0t09lj1NF

— Fergal O'Brien (@FergalTodayFM) May 25, 2014

 

13:40 Former Olympic boxer Kenneth Egan has been elected in Clondalkin #le14

13:35 Half of council seats now filled, 475 to go #le14

Election news special coming up at 1 with @sineadspain

— Today FM News (@TodayFMNews) May 25, 2014

 

 

12:45 Some more election images 

12:40 670 thousand votes to be sorted in Midlands-North West European constituency 

12:30 Sinn Fein's Lynn Boylan is on course to top the poll and possibly be elected on the first count in the Dublin European elections.

12:25 437 council seats filled out of 949 #le14

11:50 Officials in Castlebar say they expect it will be tomorrow before the first count of the Midlands -North West constituency is known.

11:30 The count goes on 

There's @gavreilly on @SavageSunday show

— Gareth (@garethoconnor) May 25, 2014

 

11:00 - Gavan Reilly at the RDS: We've been overlooking Fine Gael's performance thus far, but we have two local tidbits to share with you.

Firstly, Enda Kenny's brother Henry DID make it into Mayo Co Co in Castlebar - he scraped in on the final count. 

However, one of the party's longest-serving councillors has been defeated in Dublin: Prof Bill Tormey was outpolled by both his FG candidates and he's been eliminated in Ballymun on the 10th count.

10:50 In the local elections, almost half of the 949 seats on local authorities around the county have now been filled.

10:30 Some of the images of election 2014 

Boxes open, ballots out. Groups split into pairs and place ballots into cubby-holes for each candidate; counted after pic.twitter.com/E7uhnS1f4g

— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) May 25, 2014

 

 

Live update from @gavreilly coming up at 10 @todayfmofficial

— Today FM News (@TodayFMNews) May 25, 2014

 

09:55 The DUP have secured the highest number of seats in Northern Ireland's local council elections.

09:50 Counting in the Midlands-North West European constituency is underway in County Mayo this morning.

 

9:18am and we haven’t actually seen any #ep14 ballot papers tumbling out onto any tables here at the RDS

— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) May 25, 2014

 

09:20 - Gavan Reilly at the RDS: Democracy never sleeps, and nor can we. The RDS was open until after 4am last night as some local districts in Dublin City got wrapped up - but it's 9:20am and we're back to see more of the same, and this time with the European ballots thrown in.

The local counts resume at 10 - but the European ones got underway at 9. Or, at least, that was the idea... it's now 9:21 and we haven't seen any European ballot papers tumbling onto the count tables. Yet.

09:05 Good morning, day two of our coverage begins.

Ruth Coppinger of the Socialist Party cracks open the champagne to celebrate Dail seat win #dubw pic.twitter.com/LniI5vz0aZ

— Fergal O'Brien (@FergalTodayFM) May 24, 2014

 

21:15 Ruth Coppinger of the Socialist Party wins Dublin West 

21:07 - Gavan Reilly at the RDS: A rare blemish on what has otherwise been a good day for independents: the torchbearer for the legendary independent TD Tony Gregory has failed to get elected to Dublin City Council. Mel MacGiobúin has been eliminated in North Inner City.

20:39 - Gavan Reilly at the RDS: After a pretty lengthy lull we're beginning to get moving here in the Dublin City Council elections; I'm sat near a disconsolate looking Oisin Quinn, the incumbent lord mayor of the city, who appears set to lose his own seat after polling poorly in Ranelagh.

But no matter which way you turn here, it's difficult to escape delighted Sinn Féin candidates who are enjoying a truly tremendous day for their party.

20:30

Down to a 2 horse race in #dubw Ruth Coppinger of Socialist Party is 644 votes ahead of Fianna Fail's David McGuinness

— Fergal O'Brien (@FergalTodayFM) May 24, 2014

 

20:25 Brian Fagan eliminated in Longford-Westmeath and Paul Donnelly eliminated in Dublin West 

20:20 Former FF Minister Mary Hanafin elected in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown 

20:15 More counts due in Dublin West and Longford-Westmeath 

19:40 Labour's Denis Leonard eliminated on 2nd count in Longford-Westmeath 

19:15 David Hall eliminated on 4th count in Dublin West

19:10 4th count coming soon in Dublin West 

18:52 FG's Gabrielle Mc Fadden tops the poll in Longford-Westmeath by-election

18:45 1st count in Longford-Westmeath by-election now due 

18:40 4th count in Dublin West by-election expected shortly 

18:15 - Gavan Reilly at the RDS: We haven't spoken much about Fine Gael today - and the main government party is likely to emerge from these elections, largely unscathed despite the significant anti-government sentiment.

But Enda Kenny need not look too far to find some example of how FG's support is waning ever so slightly. In his home town of Castlebar, eight councillors are being elected... and Henry Kenny, the Taoiseach's brother, has polled in ninth place.

A Kenny defeat in Castlebar may well serve as a wake-up call of sorts for the blue-wearing folks on Mount Street.

18:00 Election news special on Today FM now with Sinead Spain 

17:50 Eamonn Coughlan eliminated on 3rd count in Dublin West 

17:45 3rd count due soon in Dublin West by-election 

17:35 Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin is happy with the gains his party is making, particularly in urban areas.

17:28 - Gavan Reilly at the RDS: We're finally beginning to get some tangible results at the RDS - and it's only cementing the changing of the guard on the left wing of Dublin City Council.

Of the three seats filled so far, two are by Sinn Féin - and they're also topping the poll in many other districts.

One colleague here in the Dublin City count centre noted that Sinn Féin are on the verge of a remarkable success: it appears that all 18 of their candidates for the capital's city council will be elected. A truly remarkable day.

17:10

Contender for #dubw seat Ruth Coppinger of the Socialist Party meets the media pic.twitter.com/qJ3tCVV8kO

— Fergal O'Brien (@FergalTodayFM) May 24, 2014

 

 

16:55 The returning officer is likely to call the first count at the Longford Westmeath by election before six.

16:40 Labour’s Lorraine Mulligan and Green’s Roderic O’Gorman eliminated after 2nd count in Dublin West.

VIDEO: Minister Joan Burton on Eamon Gilmore and the Labour Party election performance http://t.co/1GTYnsBh0c

— Fergal O'Brien (@FergalTodayFM) May 24, 2014

 

16:25 Labour Senator for Sligo North Leitrim Susan O'Keeffe told Ocean FM Eamon Gilmore's leadership will be discussed by the party next week:

16:00 First count in Longford-Westmeath expected around 5:30

15:50 Counting continues 

15:40 Sinn Fein's Paul Donnelly tops the poll in Dublin West by-election, Ruth Coppinger of the Socialist Party is in second place. 

15:36 First count coming in Dublin West 

15.25 - Gavan Reilly at the RDS - Joan Burton's comments are worth paying particular attention to. Brendan Howlin and Pat Rabbitte had both fallen into line behind Eamon Gilmore earlier - but Joan Burton appears to be putting one foot in Gilmore's camp, while keeping the other firmly outside his turf. 

Will Labour be able to push through a renegotiated Programme for Government? That depends on the mood of FG. Five years ago the Greens were able to win some concessions from Fianna Fáil after a poor local election, but that was because FF were mindful that they needed Green support to keep the government in power.

Given how badly Labour would fare in a snap general election, it is not in Eamon Gilmore's best interests to collapse the government and trigger an election. That means Enda Kenny still holds the trump cards - but it may also be in the Taoiseach's interest to keep Labour sweet, as it would increase the chances of returning enough Labour seats in 2016 to have another term of FG-Labour and save the Taoiseach having to make peace with either FF or SF.

 

Labour Minister Pat Rabbitte is calling for a renegotiation of the Programme for Government pic.twitter.com/e0hm7uY1s5

— Fergal O'Brien (@FergalTodayFM) May 24, 2014

 

15:00 Joan Burton says Labour has suffered a "shellacking" in the elections

14:40 No sign of first count in Dublin West

A gold Claddagh ring was found in box 154 in County Mayo this morning - thankfully we’re told it has now been returned to its owner. #le14

— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) May 24, 2014

 

14:15 The counting goes on 

13:55 Dublin West by-election first count expected at 2:30pm 

13:50 Counting continues around the country 

13:45 All boxes open in Longford-Westmeath

13:24 - Gavan Reilly at the RDS: So, where are we now? Well, undoubtedly the story of the 2014 elections will be the breakthrough of Sinn Féín. It's going to be the biggest party in the capital - with four out of eight seats in one ward in Dublin. It's effectively swapping places with Labour: 7% and fourth place last time, now ballooning to the status of the biggest party.

It's a bad, bad day for Eamon Gilmore. Two of his candidates for Europe are totally out of the running - Lorraine Higgins and Phil Prendergast out of the final shake-up - while Emer Costello faces a major uphill battle to hang onto her seat, with four (and arguably five) candidates ahead of her.

As for Fine Gael? They've been largely overlooked today, and it's not going as well for them as they may have hoped. Kenny Egan is an example of a high-profile candidate who ought to have done well - but he's only polled in seventh place, with eight candidates in that area. Not all good for him.

If there's one cloud on the horizon for Sinn Féin it's in the Midlands North West. Tallies are only dripping in, but the RTE exit poll has him at 13% - that's third, but given that SF do not attract transfers as well as others do, he could be pipped by Marian Harkin and one or the other of the Fianna Fáil candidates.

13:00 Special election news bulletin on Today FM now with Sinead Spain 

12:50 Dublin West first count expected around two o'clock

12:48 - Gavan Reilly - It's looking like the Battle of Blackrock - dubbed 'designer handbags at dawn' by some - will end in a score draw between the two Fianna Fáíl candidates; one official, one unofficial. Mary Hanafin is likely to exceed the quota, and Kate Feeney is so close to the quota that it is inevitable she will be elected from some of Hanafin's transfers.

In the Dublin city council, however, it's not rosy for the reds of Labour. They were the biggest group on the council for the last five years - they could now be fourth, in party terms, with Sinn Féín the biggest bloc. Even the incumbent Lord Mayor, Oisin Quinn, is in trouble and has polled poorly in his native Ranelagh. 

Emer Costello represents the party's only hope for salvaging something meaningful for the weekend - but she's tied for fifth place, with Nessa Childers. The elimination of one might benefit the other in terms of transfers - but which will go first?

12:45 Final tally in Longford-Westmeath indicates a turnout of 48%

12:40 All the boxes are now open in the Longford-Westmeath by-election count 

12:35 Dublin West tally indicates tight contest between Coppinger and Donnelly 

12:25 RTE EXIT POLL - MIDLANDS-NORTH-WEST

Luke Ming Flanagan - Independent - 20%

Mairead McGuinness - FG - 16%

Matt Carthy - SF - 13%

Pat the Cope Gallagher - FF - 11%

Marian Harkin - Independent - 11%

Thomas Byrne - FF - 10%

Jim Higgins - FG - 7%

Lorraine Higgins - Labour - 4%

Ronan Mullan - Independnt - 4%

Mark Dearey - Greens - 2%

TJ Fay - Independent - 1%

Ben Gilroy - DDI 1%

Mark Fitzsimons - Independent - 0%

Cordelia Níc Fhearraigh - Fis Nua - 0%

People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett on performance of the left in the elections http://t.co/G0u94JlVdb

— Fergal O'Brien (@FergalTodayFM) May 24, 2014

 

Time out! Count staff in Dublin West By-Election having a break here in Citywest #dubw pic.twitter.com/R8F6Q6Qa0l

— Fergal O'Brien (@FergalTodayFM) May 24, 2014

 

12:15 Fine Gael's director of elections, Phil Hogan says he's confident Gabrielle McFadden will be elected in the Longford Westmeath by-election.

12:05 RTE exit poll for Midlands North-West constituency indicates Luke Ming Flanagan will top the poll.

12:00 3 hours into the count and an early picture is emerging of strong gains for independents in local elections. 

Count centre in Longford-Westmeath

11:45 In Limerick, Sinn Fein looks set to gain at least three seats in the new joint city and county local authority.

11:25 Ireland South exit poll - Crowley 26, Ni Riada 17, Kelly 12, Clune 9, Harris 7

11:10 RTE exit poll for European South constituency indicates FF's Brian Crowley will top the poll 

11:05 The latest tally in the Longford Westmeath by election puts Fine Gael's Gabrielle McFadden ahead on 26% of the vote.

11:00 2 hours into the election counts and early indications are independents will do well in the local elections. 

10:45 Early indications are former Fianna Fail Minister Mary Hanafin could be elected to Dun-Laoghaire Rathdown council.

From @FergalTodayFM: 25% of boxes tallied in Dublin West. Ruth Coppinger of the Socialist Party is out in front on 21% #dubw

— Today FM News (@TodayFMNews) May 24, 2014