Home values in parts of the country could hit their Celtic Tiger peaks “within a year or two” with prices nationally set to increase by up to 8% this year.

Garda manpower resources in the southern region, which covers Cork, Kerry, and Limerick, fell by 2.2% last year with 48 fewer gardaí stationed in the three counties compared to 2013.

A Limerick tally at 1pm has predicted that Sinn Féin will return four to the new 40-member Limerick City and County Council.