Referendum 'trending towards No vote'
Initial tallies from the referendum to abolish the Seadn suggest it will be a tight race - with a trend towards a No vote in more areas than expected.
Three hours after counting opened analysts say the result is too close to call but while opinion polls had indicated that a Yes vote would be carried, tallies coming in from around the country suggest a late surge for the No side.
It appears Dublin has voted No - and Cork Yes.
Elsewhere, in Meath East its 53% No, 47% Yes.
In Wicklow, its 48% Yes, 52%t No, while one box in Bray had an 89% No vote.
One happy punter in the RDS. A few sherries tonight on the #seanref ? pic.twitter.com/BjwljzFcSz
— Fiach Kelly (@fiachkelly) October 5, 2013
Meanwhile a Labour Junior Minister has admitted the vote is "trending" towards a No.
Alex White says the Government was right to put the choice to the people - but he says it will be a tight result.
"I couldn't and wouldn't call it at this stage because you have to have respect for the process and the count," he said.
"The best I would say is that it's trending No."
The final result should be known around 4pm.
Counting is also underway in the Court of Appeal referendum with very little information on tallies.
A result will be known in that later this evening.
