Relatively slow start to voting in Cavan Monaghan

Voter turnout has been relatively quiet across most areas in Cavan-Monaghan in the early hours of this morning.

A total of 20 candidates are on the ballot, with five seats up for grabs.

Ten candidates are based in Co Cavan; nine in Co Monaghan; and one is from outside the Constituency. They include 14 men (70%) and six women (30%).

A total of 60,063 people are eligible to vote in Co Cavan; and 49,089 in Co Monaghan. It makes for a total poll in the constituency of 109,152, slightly lower than almost five years ago when turnout 72,878 (66.14%), the lowest percentage turnout on record for a General Election since the two counties were brought together as a regional bloc. However, in 2020 included a portion of neighbouring North Meath. It has since been reunited following a decision by the Boundary Commission.

That only happened after it was decided to reverse the controversial decision of 2012 when Cavan was split and the west was aligned with Sligo-Leitrim-South Donegal and was a Cavan-Monaghan was made a four-seater.

The best comparative reflection might be 2011 when five seats were available and turnout was 72,142 (72.7%), though the overall electorate numbered below 100,000.

In Belturbet at St Mary's Boys National School only a couple dozen had showed up to cast votes so far.

Though poll staff there do expect that to improve as the day goes on, where turnout was upwards of 40% in the locals and roughly about the same at the last General Election by closing time in Booths 1 & 2. There are three booths total.

In Cavan Town, at St Clare's National School where there are 10 booths, turnout was running at around 2.84%.

In Virginia, turnout at St Mary's NS is meanwhile said to be "slow" so far.

At the Boy's NS in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan (2.84%) which has eight booths, and where turnout is reportedly "very steady" as of 9am. Meanwhile in St Tiarnach's NS Clones turnout is already 4.3% which is "pretty high".