Cork turnout up to 15% after lunchtime rush

Average voter turnout Cork's five constituencies is between 12% and 15% just after the lunchtime rush.

Some polling stations in Cork south-central reported turnouts as low as 6% and others as high as 15% and 16% in places.

Cork east reported a turnout of 12% at lunchtime, a similar figures was recorded in Cork south-west and the turnout in Cork north-west was around 10%.

In Co Kerry, sunny weather has enticed around 15% of the electorate to cast their votes so far. Tralee and Killarney, the county’s two main urban areas, reported a steady flow of voters, while turnout in rural areas averaged 9%.

Voting in Sligo and Leitrim was said to have picked up after a slow start this morning, with the turnout standing at 20% so far.

Polling in rural areas was highest, with one booth in north Leitrim reporting a 30% figure by 12.30pm.

Leitrim had the highest turnout in 1997 at around 70%, well above the national average.