Counting for European and Limerick mayoral elections gets underway today and counters, voters and candidates are prepared for anything. 

The European election count began yesterday, although no winners have emerged.

In Dublin, Fianna Fáil’s Barry Andrews topped the polls, followed closely by Fine Gael’s Regina Doherty. 

Lynn Boylan was third for Sinn Fein, ahead of MEP Ciaran Cuffe while Labour's Aodhan Ó Ríordáin and Niall Boylan of Independent Ireland well in the mix. 

In Ireland South, Sean Kelly, Billy Kelleher and Michael McNamara are tipped to take three of the seats while it's not yet known who will take the fourth and fifth. 

Sinn Féin candidates Kathleen Funchion and Paul Gavan, alongside current MEP Mick Wallace, are the current favourites to take the final seats. 

Taoiseach Simon Harris - flanked by party members - speaks to media in the RDS count centre in Dublin, 9-6-24. Image: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie

In the Midlands Northwest, the count gets underway in Castlebar, Co Mayo and it’s hoped there will be a first count by 6pm this evening. 

Luke Ming Flanagan, Maria Walsh and Barry Cowen are all in pole position to take seats here according to the partial tales, while former RTE reporter Ciarán Mullooly has also polled well. 

The count to declare Ireland’s first directly elected mayor in Limerick begins at 9am today, with Independent John Moran the favourite according to tallies. 

Fellow independent Helen O’Donnell tallied at 16% and could be more transfer-friendly when it comes to eliminating candidates in what’s expected to be a quick-paced counting process. 

Local elections

Nearly all local election seats have been filled as of this morning and the big takeaway is to expect the unexpected. 

The Government parties didn’t experience the full wipeout that was expected, with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil battling to get the biggest share of votes. 

Sinn Féin, on the other hand, didn’t get the momentum it expected at 12% nationally. 

Mary Lou McDonald promised her party would focus on clear 'solutions' and policies following this weak local election performance. 

Sinn Fein party leader Mary Lou McDonald speaks to media in the count centre Photograph: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie

“It hasn't been our day - clearly frustrations, anger indeed, with Government policy has transferred to Independents and others,” she said. 

The Green Party hasn't maintained the 'wave' it had in 2019, although it has not lost as many local elections seats as previously expected.

A far-right surge hasn’t materialised, white Aontú grew its base. 

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said his party will succeed in elections as it is “making sure that we had equality at the centre of our politics”. 

Recounts have been ordered in some areas, but it is hoped all seats will be filled by tomorrow evening.