Ahern looking certain of leading next Government

Bertie Ahern has been easily re-elected in the Dublin Central constituency, where the quota for election was 6,928.

Mr Ahern, who now seems certain to lead the next Government, received 12,734 of the vote.

Independent TD Tony Gregory received 4,649 first preferences, while Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald polled 3,182.

Meanwhile, former PD leader Mary Harney has been elected in the Dublin Mid-West constituency.

Michael Creed of Fine Gael has been elected in Cork North West.

The first big casualty of the swing to the larger parties is Socialist Party leader Joe Higgins, who has been eliminated in Dublin West.

Dublin Central (where Bertie Ahern is a candidate): First count results...