Voting in the Local and European elections has now closed.

The ballot in Ballybay Clones will have to be reheld at a later date following the death of Fine Gael candidate Owen Bannigan.

Voter turnout for the local and European elections is being described as "brisk".

Independent TD Luke 'Ming' Flanagan has announced he is standing in the European Elections.

Libertas Chairman Declan Ganley will tonight confirm that he is to stand as a candidate in the European Elections in the constituency of Ireland North West.

The Government is not trying to delay any decisions on the Lisbon Treaty to avoid a backlash at the local and European Elections, it was claimed today.

In the Irish Examiner of November 12, 2004, it was stated that Brendan Price, an Independent candidate in the European Elections in Dublin, did not provide a record of expenditure during his campaign.

As well as a bruised political ego, Royston Brady is nursing the worst financial hangover of the European Elections, after having the highest spend per vote of any of the candidates.

THE high voter turnout for yesterday's local and European Elections could well result in Fianna Fáil suffering heavy losses.

FINE GAEL voters were urged by Enda Kenny last night to transfer to Labour and the Green Party in the local and European elections.

FORMER Fine Gael leader John Bruton yesterday urged people to focus on their families’ interests and the future of investment in the country when they consider how to vote on the Nice Treaty.