Elaine Loughlin: Three-party deadlock means it'll be a long road to forming a government

Election 2024: With less than two percentage points separating Sinn Féin, Fine Gael, and Fianna Fáil in the exit poll, a coalition of four or more parties could well be the only option

Andrew Moloney and Aisling O’Leary stopped into Inchigeela National School between their wedding ceremony and the reception to cast their ballots in the Cork North-West constituency during Ireland's General Election 2024. Picture: Chani Anderson

Deadlock only means one thing: A long, protracted and possibly painful lead into the next government.

With Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and Sinn Féin coming out of this general election on almost identical support, the make-up of the next coalition could be determined by the lengthy battles for the final seats that will ensue in the coming days.