Picture emerging as election count continues

The first election results of the day have started arrive, with Sinn Féin topping the poll in the Dublin West by-election.

The results will also see Labour facing major losses and Sinn Féin and Independents are set to make gains.

40% of Labour voters want to see Eamon Gilmore replaced, RTE exit poll finds

— Juno McEnroe (@Junomaco) May 24, 2014

The Dublin West by-election has shaped up to be one of the major battles of these elections.

Two hard-left candidates, with Paul Donnelly of Sinn Féin topping the poll, marginally ahead of Ruth Coppinger of the Socialist party.

But Fianna Fáil's David McGuinness will remain in the mix as transfers play out in later counts.

The Greens had a better result in the by-election than Labour.

Another battle could be on the cards in Longford Westmeath, where Fine Gael's Gabrielle McFadden on course to hold the seat of her late sister Nicky - but again transfers could see a challenge from Fianna Fáil's Aengus O'Rourke.

In the European elections, counting will not take place until tomorrow, but Sinn Féin will top the poll in the city and are also in place for seats in Ireland South and Midlands North West.

Fine Gael could be in trouble in Dublin, but will take a seat in the other two constituencies, with a possible second in Ireland South.

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan will top the poll in Midlands North West and looks set to secure a seat.

Local election results are also expected, with some former Fianna Fáil stalwarts such as Mary Hanafin and Seán Haughey preparing to return to local politics.

Labour will face their biggest drubbing here - possibly struggling even for final seats in local electoral areas and could be wiped out from some local authorities.

Sinn Féin looks set to have over 100 seats and become the largest party on Dublin City Council.

Those results will come in over the coming hours, but many local authority seats will not be filled until tomorrow.