All three sitting MEPs look set to lose their seats

All three sitting MEPs in Dublin looked set to lose their seats after a stunning debut by Sinn Féin’s Lynn Boylan dramatically upset voting patterns in the constituency.

While official results could not be declared because voting was continuing in some other European states, all indications were that Boylan had topped the poll and would take the first seat although not necessarily on the first count.

Ms Boylan, a first-time candidate in Dublin who previously stood unsuccessfully in Kerry, arrived at the RDS count centre at 9pm to a rapturous welcome from supporters and conceded she never expected to poll so strongly.