Counting under way in Limerick's two Dail constituencies

COUNTING is under way in Limerick's two Dail constituencies.

Boxes were opened at the Limerick Racecourse this Saturday at 9am.

The count for the City constituency is taking place on the ground floor and the County's count on the third floor.

It comes after 282 ballot boxes were transported from polling stations across Limerick City and County overnight.

An exit poll, published on the stroke of the polls closing, revealed that Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein were almost neck-and-neck in terms of vote share. According to the poll, Fianna Fail is at 19.5%, Sinn Fein is at 21.1% and Fine Gael at 21%.

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In the coming hours, a picture will be built up as to just how Limerick voted - at least in terms of first preferences - with an army of tallymen and woman scrutinising ballot slips as they are counted.

These should give an indication of who is likely to set to the pace locally. However, the result may well look different by the time all the counting has concluded, with transfers of eliminated candidates, and any surplus of elected representatives all-important.

Security has been tight at the venue, with a garda presence over the night. The building containing the ballot boxes was.

In the Limerick City constituency there are four seats up for grabs, and the Limerick County constituency will see three TDs returned.

Voters in Limerick County had a choice of 15 candidates, with the electorate in Limerick City picking from a field of 17.

Limerick Live will bring you all the updates from the Count Centre throughout this Saturday and Sunday.