SF set for election breakthrough

Sinn Fein looks set to make electoral history after their Dublin South West candidate Sean Crowe captured a Dail seat.

In a major breakthrough for Gerry Adams' party, Mr Crowe topped the poll in the constituency and exceeded the quota needed to be elected for the Dail on the first count.

Mr Adams and party supporters let out a huge roar in the count centre in Tallaght as their candidate won the party's first seat in Dublin.

Mr Crowe topped the poll with 7,416 votes in the four-seat constituency.

The party is also hoping to capture seats in Kerry North, Dublin South Central and Louth as well as retaining its sole TD, Caoimhghin O'Caolain in Cavan-Monaghan.

Sinn Fein's success came as early indications in the election pointed to Fianna Fail coming close to forming Ireland's first single party government for 25 years.