Cowen still optimistic as polls close

Voting levels in the Lisbon Treaty referendum re-run received the expected evening surge, with turnout across the country around 50% in the hours before polling stations shut their doors.

Casting his ballot in his home county of Offaly, Taoiseach Brian Cowen was cautiously optimistic of a pro-Lisbon Treaty win.

“The people’s decision is sovereign and of course that will be the case, but I’m hopeful that in the context of today ... we’ll have a good outcome,” he said.

For the second time in 18 months some three million Irish people were asked to decide the fate of almost 500 million citizens across the European Union.

During last year’s referendum it was thought large numbers taking to the polls would boost the yes side.

But despite more than half of all voters coming out – 53% – the ’no’ camp clinched it 53.4% to 46.6%.

By early evening the expected surge of workers going to the polls materialised, with the average figure in the capital jumping to 44% and around 40% in Dublin’s commuter counties.

Munster constituencies stood at around 50%, while turnout in the north west crept up after rain hampered it earlier in the day.

Polling began at 7am with stations remaining open until 10pm.

President Mary McAleese was among the first to cast her ballot at St Mary’s Hospital in Phoenix Park, close to Aras an Uachtarain.

Opinion polls have shown the ’Yes’ side pull ahead over the summer months, but the pro-treaty camp fear a growing anti-Government voice could have reared its head at the ballot box.

All European eyes will be firmly fixed on the national count centre in Dublin Castle tomorrow where results from across the country will be relayed with the final national verdict expected late afternoon.

Although activists were not allowed to campaign close to polling stations today, groups for and against the controversial charter made frenetic last-ditch appeals in towns and cities across the state.

Pro-treaty campaigners claimed the complex charter would keep Ireland at the heart of the union at a time when it most needs it.

But ’No’ activists insisted the document has not changed, that it is undemocratic and a bad deal for Ireland and Europe.

If the treaty is rejected again then the European Union would be plunged into an institutional crisis, sounding the death-knell for legislation painstakingly crafted through years of negotiation.

Ireland’s main political parties temporarily shelved their rivalries to campaign for the ’Yes’ vote. Sinn Féin is the only party opposing the treaty.