Counting gets underway in Cavan-Monaghan
The counting of votes in the Cavan-Monaghan constituency has now officially started.
Returning Officer Joe Smith formally got proceedings at the Cavan Leisure Complex underway.
Tally men for all political parties are all lined up along the counting gantry waiting to keep a close a record as possible as the day unfolds and more boxes are opened.
There are votes 142 boxes, from polling station one in St Anne’s NS in Bailieborough to polling station 142 in Moybolgue/Trohanny, to be counted in the Cavan-North Meath portion of the constituency.
There are 117 more boxes in neighbouring Co Monaghan, stretching from Aghmakerr in Loughmourne to Tydavnet.
Some are predicting the final fourth and fifth seats to be too close to call, and are expecting a marathon General Election count which could go on for at least two days.
Several candidates have already arrived here, including Sinn Fein’s Pauline Tully and the Green Party’s Tate Donnelly.
All candidates will be buoyed by what is considered to have been a strong turnout at polls yesterday.
One hour from close, many voters had taken the opportunity to cast their ballots early in the day with national weather service Met Eireann issuing a Status Orange wind warning for the entire country, with mean speeds of 65 to 80kmph and gusts general of up to 130kmph.
In Co Cavan, voter turnout in Cavan Town’s St Clare’s NS (13 booths) approaching the end of the day was 49.33%. Things had greatly quietened down following 6pm.
In Virginia Town (5 booths) turnout was at 61.09%; St Clare’s NS, Ballyjamesduff (5 booths) 63.5%; and St Anne’s NS, Bailieborough (7 booths) 61% where proceedings had been "brisk" up until late in the day.
In neighbouring Co Monaghan, St Louis Girls’ NS (5 booths) in Monaghan Town where was "very slow" the last hour, but still saw turnout of 57.1%; while Castleblayney Boys NS (7 booths) was at 55%; and St Tiarnach’s Primary, Clones (4 booths) 56%.
Keep up to date with our live blog throughout the day: