Independents and SF leading the way as votes come in

The first significant tallies are coming from the by-elections in Dublin West and Longford-Westmeath.

In Dublin West, with about a quarter of boxes tallied, Ruth Coppinger of the Socialist Party is topping the poll with around 22% of the vote.

Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil are vying for second place on around 18% each. The Greens have polled better than Labour in the constituency according to the numbers.

In Longford-Westmeath Gabrielle McFadden, who is hoping to hold the seat of her late sister Nicky, is on 25% and many of the tallied boxes are from Longford she would be expected to do even better in Westmeath.

The European votes will not be counted until tomorrow, but an RTÉ exit poll in Dublin shows Sinn Féin securing nearly a quarter of the votes with Lynn Boylan leading the way followed by Eamon Ryan of the Greens and Fine Gael's Brian Hayes neck and neck on 14%.

That same exit poll nationally has Labour on just 7%, meaning they would not secure any European seat.

In the South polls show Brian Crowley of Fianna Fáil is on 26% with Liadh Ní Riada (SF) and Sean Kelly (FG) trailing behind.

Sinn Féin is on 17% in the national poll, better than their last election result, but lower than recent polls had suggested.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are finishing nearly tied on around 22% to 24%.

Meanwhile, the Irish Examiner’s Anne Lucey reports in South and West Kerry Independent candidates are running well.

Michael Cahill Independent former Fianna Fáil councillor is at 13.8% or 601 votes; while Johnny Healy-Rae is at an astonishing 19% or 825.

The boxes open are mainly Cahersiveen and the Fine Gael councillor PJ Donovan, the local man, is also polling well at 19.2% of the vote, or 837 votes.