Turnout steadily increasing across polling stations

Turnout is steadily increasing at polling stations across the Cavan-Monaghan constituency this afternoon.

There are 20 candidates - 10 in Cavan, 9 in Monaghan and one living outside the constituency - vying for five seats in this constituency.

A total of 60,063 people are eligible to vote in Cavan and 49,089 in Monaghan, leaving a total poll of 109,152.

In Belturbet at St Mary's Boys National School, turnout had reached around 25% by 2:30pm.

Polling staff say it is busier "compared to recent elections".

In Cavan Town, at St Clare's NS, where there are 10 booths, turnout had increased to 15.8% by around 1:30pm.

In nearby Bruskey, turnout in both booths was getting close to 20% as of 3pm.

Turnout in Shercock was reported at around 21% after lunchtime (2pm).

At the Boys NS in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, which has eight booths, turnout was above 20% at 3pm.

Turnout was estimated at 24.5% at St Tiarnach's NS in Clones across five booths at around mid afternoon; and 26.3% at St Louis in Monaghan Town at 3pm.

Meanwhile, at Mullahoran National School where there are two polling stations, one in five voters have so far cast their votes.

Polls remain open until 10pm, with the period between 6pm and close expected to be brisk at all stations.