Breaking news from Cavan Monaghan count centre

Our reporter Tom Carron is in the Cavan Monaghan count centre in Cavan Leisure Complex. At about 10.45am Tom reports back that the team are now separating the ballot papers in preparation for the first count and he estimates that about a quarter of boxes have been opened. At this very early stage, indications are that Sean Gallagher is polling very well in Cavan and appears to be the front runner as might be expected in his home county despite the recent controversy. He is well ahead of both Michael D Higgins and Martin McGuinness who seem to be neck-in-neck as contenders for second place. In Monaghan, Gallagher is doing quite well also but McGuinness is coming out stronger than in Cavan. Fine Gael candidate Gay Mitchell seems to be faring badly and the speculation is that many Fine Gael voters may have switched to Michael D. Higgings. "A first count is not expected until mid-afternoon so it is very early days to even make predictions," cautions Tom.