Polling stations around the State have closed after 15 hours of voting in the Presidential election, with at least one pundit saying that Sean Gallagher will be the next President.
Turnout looks like being just above 50%, a bit more than in 1997 – though 20% below the general election.
On his TV programme last night, Vincent Browne said he believed that perhaps the controversy surrounding Gallagher came too late to hit his vote substantially enough for him to lose.
However the bookies are backing Labour’s Michael D Higgins, saying he will get enough transfers to win out….probably sometime on Saturday afternoon.
It’s thought Dana will come last.
Ballot boxes will be opened this morning with counts in each of the two Donegal constituencies as well as around the country.
Counting will then begin on the Presidential election, and in Dublin West on the by-election there.
Once the Presidency is decided, counting of votes in the two referendums will commence.
Just over 3.1m people – every Irish citizen over the age of 18 who is included on the Register of Electors or the Supplementary Register – were entitled to vote.
President Mary McAleese voted in the Phoenix Park accompanied by her husband Senator Martin McAleese.
Michael D Higgins cast his vote at Bushy Park National School in Galway, while Seán Gallagher voted in the National School in Blackrock, Co Louth.
Gay Mitchell voted at Kildare Place Primary School in Rathmines and Dana Rosemary Scallon cast her vote at Carnmore National School in Claregalway.
David Norris voted at Marlborough Street polling station, Mary Davis voted in the Burrow School in Sutton and Martin McGuinness – who is not eligible to vote in the election – joined Pearse Doherty at the polling station in Bunbeg in Co Donegal.
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