Islanders go to the polls

More than 1,000 voters on four islands off Co Galway go to the polls this morning.

Polling stations on Inis Bofin and the three Aran Islands open from 7.30am until 10.30pm.

The ballots will help elect five TDs from the Galway West constituency.

Meanwhile, candidates across the country are today carrying out last-minute canvassing to maximise chances of being elected to the 30th Dáil.

Off-shore islands usually vote in advance of election day to ensure the ballot boxes can be safely transported to count centres.

Inis Mor has 629 registered voters, Inis Oir has 222 and Inis Mean has 161.

A total of 165 citizens on Inis Bofin can exercise their franchise.

The ballot boxes will be brought under Garda escort to be sorted and counted at Aras na MacLeinn at NUI Galway on Friday.

Returning Officer Marian Chambers Higgins and her staff will open the ballot boxes at 9am and proceed to verify and count the votes.