As of 1am this morning (Sunday) all but two of the 43 constituencies in the Republic of Ireland had tallied first preference votes, after which the main parties had as follows: Fi

Counting has begun in the Irish general election, as exit polls suggest a close contest between the three major parties.

Sinn Fein has won Ireland’s election, according to exit polls on Friday night, but looks certain to be shut out of power by its rivals after failing to get enough votes to enter government for the first time.