Rain - and Black Friday sales - sees slow early turnout as Limerick goes to the polls in General Election 2024

A RAINY start to this Friday - and possibly the Black Friday sales - has meant turnout has been slow across Limerick City as voting in the General Election continues.

One box at St Michael's National School at Barrington Street in the city centre was showing that just 2.76% of those eligible to vote had done so by 11am this Friday.

Another had a 3.85% turnout.

O'Connell Street and the city centre shops appeared busy, with a sea of umbrellas as many people braved the rain on Black Friday.

Voter turnout at John F Kennedy National School at Ennis Road on the city's northside - a site renowned for a high showing - was showing at between 7.6% and 10% as of 10am.

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Fionn O'Tiarnaigh, North Circular Road, was voting for the first time in a General Election at the northside school, also seen as a bellwether polling station of how Limerick has voted.

He said: "It's good that I get to give my opinion on what needs to be changed, what we need to do, especially in Limerick. I think a lot needs to be done for Limerick. There is a lot wrong in the country. Housing is a big one. Obviously that hospital, the regional, needs to get fixed big time."

One thing Fionn predicts is that when the counting is completed, the talks to form a new coalition could take a long time.

Oliver McMahon, who lives in Shelbourne Road added: "It's vital for our democracy that we vote, to give balance to the people."

On polling day, he always votes around 10am, before going to lunchtime Mass at the Dominican's Church in the city centre.

"It's very hard to say how things will look after this. It could be a hung Dail. There are a lot of Independents, and people are getting away from the two main parties," he said.

Despite the changes he thinks are coming, Oliver confirmed that he voted in the same manner as he has in previous General Elections.

Jim Baggett, polling supervisor in JFK, said there has been an issue with some people not getting their polling cards in the area.

"It's frustrating. It makes it awkward when people come in here. If people have a polling card, we know exactly where to direct them to. If they don't, it makes it difficult. It's ok if it's only a small percentage, but the percentage is very high today," he said.

Meanwhile, having their say at St Michael's National School in the city centre were Ann Kennedy and William Lenihan, who both live at Vizes Court, just off St Joseph's Street.

"It's really important. I hope whoever gets in will do something good for us," Ann said.

William said he would normally have come out a bit earlier to vote, but the wet weather put him off.

"We decided to come here now because the rain has eased off a bit. It's important for our democracy. I think whoever forms this new government, they need to sort out health and housing," he said.

Polling continues in Limerick and across the country until 10 o'clock this evening. An exit poll will be published at that point giving an early indication of how Ireland has voted in General Election 2024.