Late surge sees poll turnout near 57%

A late surge saw turnout nationally in the local and European parliament elections approach an estimated 57%, one percentage below the 2009 figure and 9% less than the 68% recorded in the last general election.

There were wide variations, however. Voting was particularly brisk in Cork, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Donegal, and Wicklow.

Voting in parts of Cork City and in Tipperary looked set to exceed 60% while turnout in some rural constituencies in the south of the country and in parts of Dublin is expected to be less than 50%.

More votes were cast in the more affluent areas of Dublin than in the poorer parts. By 8.30pm, turnout in Dublin 4 was running in the region of 36% while the corresponding figure in the north inner city was 22%.

In Cork City, it appeared to be the other way round, with voting in working class areas like Mayfield and Gurranabraher on the northside and Togher on the southside outstripping that recorded in Rochestown and in Douglas. Voting in Togher was particularly brisk, with poll watchers attributing that to recent protests in the area over the installation of water meters.

Turnout by voters aged 18 to 24 was running almost 20% lower than the national average in some constituencies.

By-elections in Dublin West and Longford-Westmeath saw turnout higher than the national average.

By 8pm major disparities in voting patterns in the capital was clearly evident, with more than 45% having voted in Dublin county and less than 36% in the city.

At the same time, turnout in Wicklow and Tipperary stood at 50%, with Limerick and Donegal over 45%, Clare 42%, and Meath 36%.

In the midlands the figure stood at 55% by 8pm.

The counting of votes in the local and by-elections will begin this morning. Counting in the European Parliament election will get under way tomorrow.

Shock death

By Patsy McArdle

There was tragedy for a family in Monaghan yesterday when an outgoing Fine Gael councillor and candidate died suddenly, after collapsing near his home at Ballybay.

Owen Bannigan, 54, was a key Fine Gael activist and a contender for one of six Monaghan County Council seats in the Ballybay-Clones Local Electoral Area.

Mr Bannigan, a farmer who was married with a family at Loughmourne, was a leading opponent of proposals by EirGrid to erect pylons for overhead powerlines

Cavan/Monaghan Fine Gael deputy Heather Humphreys said she was “stunned” by the news.

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