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RTÉ reports:

A number of refugees have been found in a truck in Co Waterford.

It is understood up to nine people were discovered in the truck on the Waterford to New Ross road this afternoon.

Some of the refugees are believed to have been taken to University Hospital Waterford.

Sadly familiar.

Meanwhile, in Dublin earlier…

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Demonstrators gathered at the Ha’penny Bridge in Dublin to call for safe passage routes for those seeking refugee protection.

Similar protests took places in cities across Europe today.

Refugees found in truck in Co Waterford (RTE)

Pic: RTE and Irish Refugee Council

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Fiona Gartland tweetz:

Kildare North: Catherine Murphy elected on the first count.

Meanwhile, earlier…

And in Wicklow…

Wicklow: Stephen Donnelly on verge of election on first count (Irish Times)

endawire

This afternoon.

Inistioge, Co Kilkenny.

Thanks SL

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Former Fianna Fáil TD Pat Carey at the Phibblestown Community Hall count centre in Blanchardstown, Dublin

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Former Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins looking over PJ Lennon’s shoulder at the Phibblestown Community Hall count centre in Blanchardstown, Dublin

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Fine Gael TD and candidate Richard Bruton at the RDS count centre in Ballsbridge, Dublin 

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Sinn Féin TD and candidate Dessie Ellis at the RDS count centre

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Labour TD and candidate Kevin Humphreys at the RDS count centre

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Green Party candidate Eamon Ryan at RDS count centre

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Independent Bernie Hughes at the RDS count centre

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Independent candidate Mannix Flynn at the RDS count centre

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Sinn Féin candidate Eoin Ó Broin at the count centre in Citywest 

This morning.

Candidates and supporters gather for the counts.

Meanwhile, in Dublin West…

In Kildare North…

In Tipperary…

In Dublin Central…

In Cork North Central…

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Fianna Fáil’s Michael McGrath speaks to media in Cork City Hall.

Meanwhile…

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Soc Dem co-leader Roisin Shorthall, who looks set to top the poll in Dublin North West, at the RDS this morning.

Rolingnews and Mike

-2

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Tonight’s Irish Times/Ipsos General Election 2016 exit poll

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FYI: 2011 results (source Wikipedia)

Tonight’s poll

What does it all mean?

Shane Heneghan writes:

This is sensational. The poll taken at 200 locations across the countriy with a sample size of 5,260 shows Fine Gael (26.1%), Fianna Fail (22.9%) and Labour (7.8%) on a combined total of just 56.8%.

Sinn Fein on 14.1% have to be somewhat disappointed even if this would represent a significant leap forward in Dáil representation.

Of the smaller parties, the Greens may be happiest on 3.5% – almost double what they got in 2011 and will be looking forward to getting back to the Dáil.

The big winner has to be the group of independents and others on a staggering 28%.

This unprecedented group of loose alliances and independents is likely to be seen as the chief stumbling block on the way to formation of a government- it may even make the election of a Ceann Comairle a bit tedious.

If this result is replicated tomorrow, we can look forward to a high turn over of deputies and many “Portillo moments” with many unexpected newbies triumphing as well.

On these numbers, it’s hard to think of any other possible result than some arrangement between the two civil war parties and a second election in a few months.

It hardly seems worthwhile taking down the posters.

Shane Heneghan is a Galway-based psephologist

Election 2016: Irish Times exit poll shows Coalition well short of overall majority (Irish Times)

Irish Gothic by James M Chimney (apols to Grant Wood)

Meanwhile…

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A timely swipe at the election broadcast moratorium.

Featuring the subtle acting chops of Today FM’s ‘pol corr’ Gavan Reilly. His ‘waiting’ is pure method.

Gavan will be presenting Today FM’s General Election coverage as soon as polls close tonight.

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Voting this morning in St. Joseph’s National School on the Navan Road, Cabra in the Dublin West constituency

You’ve had your say.

Now have your say. Again.

Anyone?

Sasko Lazarov/Rollingnews

Meanwhile…

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‘sup?

Pram-bound Pug puppy Otto at a polling station in Clondalkin, Dublin 22 this evening.

Thanks Mark McCormack

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Hannah O’Connell writes:

I know you don’t usually do this, but we found someone’s ever-so-trendy picnic pack in Monkstown [Co Dublin] and would love to reunite it with its hip, wine-loving, banana-eating, apple-munching, picnic-in-the-park type owner.

Anyone?

Broadsheet.ie