A steady turnout has been reported at polling stations across the country, as people go to the polls to cast their votes in the local and European elections.
Voters are set to elect 949 councillors out of more than 2,100 candidates across 31 local authorities, while 14 MEPs will be elected to the European Parliament.
Polling stations opened at 7am this morning, and are set to remain open until 10pm. The sorting and counting of votes will start at 9am on Sunday.
Across Dublin city, turnout ranged between 9 per cent in the south east inner city and 15 per cent in Donaghmede at lunchtime.
Turnout was “quiet enough” in Glasthule in Dún Laoghaire before lunchtime, but is expected to pick up. Earlier in the day, the turnout in Finglas was reported to be steadier than normal at 11am.
In Kilkenny, voter turnout stood at 12 per cent by 12:00pm, while in Carlow town, this was lower, with some 8.6 per cent of voters having turned out to vote by midday.
In Tipperary North, turnout was reported at a robust 15 per cent by 2pm.
Turnout was reportedly slow in a number of areas across the country, sitting at 11.3 per cent in Co Cork by 12pm – slower than the 12 per cent reported for the same time in the 2019 elections.
However, according to an estimate at midday, turnout is ahead of the low levels recorded across Cork at the same time on the day of the Family and Care referendums in March – with an 8.4 per cent turnout recorded on the day of the referenda.
Meanwhile, in Dingle, Kerry, 18 per cent of voters had cast a ballot by 12pm. Earlier in the day across the county, turnout ranged from 5.8 per cent in Listowel to 11.5 per cent in Kilgarvan.
In Donegal, an average of 14 per cent of the electorate had cast their votes by this lunchtime.
In the Gaeltacht regions, Fánaid reported a healthy turnout this lunchtime at 14 per cent, while a turnout of 13 per cent was recorded in Doibhlinn Riabhach, 13 per cent in Na Dúnaibh and 13 per cent in Doirí Beaga. Meanwhile, 11 per cent of voters in Carraig Airt had voted by 12:30pm.
Some 9 per cent of the electorate had cast a vote in Loch an Iúir this lunchtime, 15 per cent in Doire Chonaire, 14 per cent in Bun Beag, 10 per cent in Rann na Feirste, 11 per cent in Dobhar. 13 per cent of voters turned out in Gort a’Choice, and 11 per cent in Cnoc Fola. Turnout was highest in Machaire Rabhartaigh, reaching 19 per cent at 1pm.
Voter turnout was high on the islands – with 18 per cent of voters in Inis Bó Finne having voted this lunchtime, climbing to 20 per cent in Toraigh, and 28 per cent in Gabhla.
In Milford, 18 per cent have voted, while turnout was 15 per cent in Cranford. In Letterkenny, an average voter turnout of between 7 and 13 per cent has been recorded this lunchtime.
Voters across the country have commented on the length of the ballot papers, with a 73-cm long ballot paper being presented to voters in the Midlands North West constituency, where a total of 27 candidates are running. 23 candidates are battling it out for votes in both Ireland South and in Dublin, while up to 20 candidates feature on the ballot in some of the local electoral areas in the local elections.
Voters in Limerick will be given a third ballot paper today and will be asked to select a mayor to lead the county council. Counting in the Limerick mayoral race is not expected to begin until this coming Monday.