Turnout “steady” at polling stations across Cavan

Polling opened at 7am and closes at 10pm.

Polling is reportedly “steady” across Co Cavan, with several polling stations reporting turnouts of 20-25 per cent and climbing.

In the likes of Shercock (Bailieborough-Cootehill MD), turnout at 5pm across two booths was above 32 per cent. At 12 noon, turnout was only at 12.5%.

Polling numbers in Mullagh (Ballyjamesduff MD), which saw a brisk turnout early on, was trending at a similarly pace as before.

In Ballyjamesduff, turnout was 27 per cent at 5pm, with numbers climbing across all four booths.

At St Clare's NS, turnout rose steadily from 12 per cent overall at midday to 22 per cent by 4pm.

In Mullahoran it was 27.5 per cent, up from 18 per cent at 1pm.

In Ballyconnell Central NS (Cavan-Belturbet MD) is around 30 per cent, and in neighbouring Belturbet, where turnout is now at 40 per cent in Booth 1.

In Cavan Town, turnout was at 26 per cent at 5pm, up from 19 per cent in a couple of hours.

After a slow start in the very early hours of polling, picking up then approaching lunchtime, some stations still expect an even bigger surge casting votes come the end of the working day and into early evening.

A total of 36 candidates are vying for one of 18 seats on Cavan County Council, meaning half the field will be left disappointed once counting is complete.

Tomorrow's count at the Cavan Leisure Complex will start at 9am, first sorting local from European ballots, before counting gets underway proper, expected at around midday.