Candidates and tally personnel communicating with vote count staff will be 'immediately removed'

A returning officer said that count staff who communicate with anyone outside the barrier will be 'dismissed on the spot'

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties said there were reportedly concerns among gardaí about the 'security and safety of election count and polling centres'.

Election inspectors will be conducting regular patrols to ensure there is no one engaging in intimidation of voters or political campaigning within the 100-metre safe area around polling stations, a returning officer has said.

James Seymour said all candidates and tally personnel have been “expressly notified” that any communication with count staff will result in their “immediate ejection” from the count centre.