No movement yet in Laois-Offaly

One of the three constituencies where votes are still being counted this afternoon is Laois-Offaly.

Within the last hour, representatives for the 5 groups of candidates, SF, LAB, FF, FG and Independent John Foley, approached the Returning Officer's legal representative Diarmuid Scanlon and asked for an update, as there's been no movement all day.

Shortly afterwards, Assistant Returning Officer, Paul Fetherstonhaugh, stepped up to the podium, appealed for patience and said that the count was at an advanced stage.

Mr Fetherstonhaugh asked the assembled candidates and supporters to bear with officials as they completed the process.

Among those present at the count centre was Sinn Féin Vice-President Mary Lou McDonald, as party colleague Brian Stanley is in the running to become the first SF deputy in the constituency since Clarence Brady and Sean McGuinness in the 1920s.

However, Cllr. Stanley's expected election is on hold, while the recount which began last evening continues.

Liam Quinn of FG asked for the check as 26 votes separated him and John Moloney of Fianna Fáil.