No breakthrough as counts continue in three constituencies

Counts are underway in three constituencies this afternoon, where 12 seats are empty.

In Wicklow a recount is underway owing to concern about the numbers of votes separating Fianna Fáil's Dick Roche from his party colleague Pat Fitzgerald, and queries are being raised about the number of votes declared spoiled.

Elsewhere, counting is continuing in the Galway West centre this afternoon.

An announcement is expected soon.

There have been rumblings of a second recount if the gap between Sean Kyne of Fine Gael and Independent Catherine Connolly for the fourth seat is marginal.

And in Laois-Offaly, counting is continuing but there's been no change all day.