VOTER TURNOUT in the general election appeared to have surpassed that of the 2007 election at the close of voting last night, according to reports from various polling stations around the country.
Some stations were reporting a turnout of over 70 per cent towards the close of polling at 10pm, with voting described as brisk in most regions of the country all day. The turnout in the 2007 election was 67 per cent, which itself was the highest since 1992.
There were indications that it may even top 70 per cent.
Voter turnout was described as very high in each of the constituencies checked by The Irish Times last night. A turnout of 78 or 79 per cent was being predicted for Mayo, the constituency of Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny.
The Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary described the turnout as “phenomenal” and said there was a potential 100 per cent turnout at one booth in the townland of Bofield near Ballina.
Likewise, at junctures during the day, turnout in Dublin was also running higher than at the same time four years ago. At 5pm turnout in all areas of Drumcondra in Dublin Central was running at above 50 per cent, with similar feedback from the Navan Road area.
“The interest is very high. We are running well ahead of four years ago,” said Fine Gael candidate Paschal Donohoe.
In Cork South Central, the constituency of Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, voting volumes in some polling stations were said to be running at 10 per cent more than in 2007.
Fine Gael TD Simon Coveney said that as of 9pm turnout on the north side of Carrigaline was close to 70 per cent, with a figure in the mid 60s to the south of the town.
In Ballybane on the eastern side of Galway City, the turnout was well above 60 per cent as of 9pm last night. Fianna Fáil TD for Galway West Frank Fahey said the evidence in the constituency was that the turnout was going to be very high.
Counting in the general election begins at 9am today and the first tallies for the 43 constituencies will be available by lunchtime.
Some 3.2 million people are entitled to vote in the this election, with 566 candidates, a record. Some 86 of the candidates are women.
There are 165 elected positions in the 31st Dail, with Ceann Comhairle Séamus Kirk being automatically being re-elected.
When the 30th Dáil was dissolved on February 1st Fianna Fáil had 73 TDs, Fine Gael had 51, Labour 20, the Green Party six, Sinn Féin five, and others eight.
President Mary McAleese and the leaders of the five biggest political parties cast their votes yesterday morning in the general election .
Mrs McAleese and her husband Dr Martin McAleese voted at St Mary’s Hospital in the Phoenix Park and Taoiseach Brian Cowen and his wife Mary voted at Scoil Cholmain Naofa at Mucklagh, Co Offaly in the early afternoon.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny voted at St Patrick’s National School in Chapel Street in Castlebar, Co Mayo accompanied by his wife Fionnuala and daughter Aoibhinn (18).
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore voted at Scoil Mhuire in Rathsallagh, Shankill in his Dún Laoghaire constituency with his daughter Gráinne.
Green Party leader John Gormley voted with his wife Penny Stuart at St Patrick’s School in Ringsend, Dublin and Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams cast his vote at Doolargy National School in Co Louth.
