Polling stations have closed across the country tonight with turnout expected to come in at just under 50% of the population.
As of 9pm this evening Sligo returned figures of almost 50% turnout in the county.
In Co Louth, many polling stations have reported turnout of over 40%.
Galway also averaged around 40% with Donegal recording the lowest turnout figures at 30%.
Our live blog is up and running here. We'll have live results and reaction through the day tomorrow
Thursday, 31 May 2012
Fiscal Treaty referendum: Voting continues but turnout remains low
Voting is continuing in the EU Fiscal Treaty Referendum - with turnout reported to be low in many areas.
By 6pm this evening, an average of just 27% of voters in Dublin City are reported to have voted.
Turnout in the North East has been described as slow; 22% have voted in Kells, Meath - with Slane and Athboy reporting similar figures.
In parts of Drogheda, turnout is at the 30% mark.
39% are reported to have cast their votes in Ballynacargy in Westmeath - with the figure at 29% in Carrick-On-Shannon in Leitrim.
Turnout at 8pm in Cork - 35% in Blackpool, up to 42% in Mayfield, 43% in Turner's Cross, 40% in Togher, 43.4% in Greenmount.
Voters have until 10pm to cast their ballots.
Our live blog is up and running here. We'll have live results and reaction through the day tomorrow
By 6pm this evening, an average of just 27% of voters in Dublin City are reported to have voted.
Turnout in the North East has been described as slow; 22% have voted in Kells, Meath - with Slane and Athboy reporting similar figures.
In parts of Drogheda, turnout is at the 30% mark.
39% are reported to have cast their votes in Ballynacargy in Westmeath - with the figure at 29% in Carrick-On-Shannon in Leitrim.
Turnout at 8pm in Cork - 35% in Blackpool, up to 42% in Mayfield, 43% in Turner's Cross, 40% in Togher, 43.4% in Greenmount.
Voters have until 10pm to cast their ballots.
Our live blog is up and running here. We'll have live results and reaction through the day tomorrow
Hogan: Government to wind up Dublin Docklands Development Authority
The Environment Minister has said that the Government will wind up the Dublin Docklands Development Authority.
Phil Hogan said that the decision was made because of the Authority's uncertain financial outlook and the findings of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
The report published today strongly criticised the Authority’s handling of the 2006 purchase of the former Irish Glass Bottle site in Ringsend.
The 25-acre site - which was bought by Becbay for €412 million - is now worth an estimated €30 million.
Minister Hogan said that the Authority should remain in place for a transitional period of a maximum of 18 months
Phil Hogan said that the decision was made because of the Authority's uncertain financial outlook and the findings of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
The report published today strongly criticised the Authority’s handling of the 2006 purchase of the former Irish Glass Bottle site in Ringsend.
The 25-acre site - which was bought by Becbay for €412 million - is now worth an estimated €30 million.
Minister Hogan said that the Authority should remain in place for a transitional period of a maximum of 18 months
Referendum voting rate increasing in Midlands
Voter numbers in the Fiscal Treaty Referendum are beginning to pick up across the Midlands this evening.
Some centres have recorded turn outs up to 28%, including Ballinacargy in Westmeath and Tullamore in Offaly.
The average for Offaly now stands at an estimated 24% in Westmeath, it is 20% while in Laois it is 19%.
Voter figures from Donegal this evening show turnout in the town was 29%. Voting has been as high as 37% in parts of Cork city, with turnout in other parts at 24%.
Polling stations across the region remain open until 10pm tonight.
Forecaster Vincent O'Shea from Met Eireann said that it should remain dry for voters in this region.
Our live blog is up and running here. We'll have live results and reaction through the day tomorrow.
Some centres have recorded turn outs up to 28%, including Ballinacargy in Westmeath and Tullamore in Offaly.
The average for Offaly now stands at an estimated 24% in Westmeath, it is 20% while in Laois it is 19%.
Voter figures from Donegal this evening show turnout in the town was 29%. Voting has been as high as 37% in parts of Cork city, with turnout in other parts at 24%.
Polling stations across the region remain open until 10pm tonight.
Forecaster Vincent O'Shea from Met Eireann said that it should remain dry for voters in this region.
Our live blog is up and running here. We'll have live results and reaction through the day tomorrow.
Turnout low so far in Fiscal Treaty referendum
Voter turnout in Ireland's referendum on the EU Fiscal Treaty has been reported as low across the country.
With polling stations open until 10pm and counting of ballots to start tomorrow morning, only about a fifth of the 3.1 million electorate have had their say.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny was among the first to cast his vote as to whether the country should ratify the controversial agreement to impose stricter budget controls.
Turnout in Dublin reached about 20% before teatime, with averages in the north west counties between 14% and 20%, and the Leinster region just below 20%.
The earliest indication of the result is expected no sooner than mid-morning tomorrow, when the political tally men start estimations from the 43 constituencies.
Turnout is crucial with low voter numbers in two previous European referendums giving the anti-treaty side a huge boost.
Irish voters have rejected the last two at the first vote only to accept the EU reforms in a re-run the following years.
Mr Kenny cast his ballot at St Patrick's National School in Castlebar, Co Mayo alongside his wife Fionnuala while his Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore voted in Shankill, south Dublin this morning.
Elsewhere, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, one of the key figures in the anti-treaty camp, was out early casting his ballot in the constituency of Louth where he moved to from Belfast to contest the 2011 General Election.
Last night both Mr Kenny and Mr Adams made their final appeal for support.
The Taoiseach said a strong Yes would send a message that Ireland is on the road to the recovery and that it would help continue the strong flow of investment into businesses seen over the last few months.
"While there are still difficult challenges ahead, I hope people will vote Yes to continuing the progress we've made together," he said.
Mr Adams' final message to voters warned that the treaty would not solve the eurozone crisis and would put into the Constitution the failed austerity policies.
"I ask Irish citizens not to be bullied, not to give their democratic rights away, not to give up their say over Irish economic policy and not to write austerity into the Constitution," he said.
Shortly after polling stations opened there was a security alert outside the constituency office of Sinn Fein's vice president Mary Lou McDonald.
Army bomb experts were sent to the scene at North Strand Road, in north Dublin, just after 10am to investigate a suspicious device which was later made safe. The party confirmed the device had been a hoax pipebomb and that graffiti had been daubed on the front of the building.
In a break from tradition, State broadcaster RTÉ will not be reporting an exit poll but three recent opinion polls have shown a 60/40 split in favour of the treaty among Irish voters.
The Taoiseach has said he was confident, but never over-confident, before polling day but his number two Mr Gilmore refused to make a call.
Ireland is the only country in Europe holding a referendum on the treaty.
The treaty will come into effect with the support of 12 states, with or without Irish support.
Twenty five of the 27 European Union states have accepted the text of the treaty - with the exception of the UK and Czech Republic.
Only three states have ratified the treaty in full - Greece, Portugal and Slovenia - while Germany, Poland, Latvia, Romania, Austria and Denmark have begun the process.
If passed, the treaty will see stricter budgetary rules imposed on member states and penalties for those that fail to meet them.
The objective of the treaty is also to keep a control on deficits and ensure greater checks and balances are in place for money in and out of each country.
The Yes camp, including Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fáil, has argued that ratification will ensure Ireland has access to emergency funds from Europe should it require a second bailout.
Our live blog is up and running here. We'll have live results and reaction through the day tomorrow
With polling stations open until 10pm and counting of ballots to start tomorrow morning, only about a fifth of the 3.1 million electorate have had their say.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny was among the first to cast his vote as to whether the country should ratify the controversial agreement to impose stricter budget controls.
Turnout in Dublin reached about 20% before teatime, with averages in the north west counties between 14% and 20%, and the Leinster region just below 20%.
The earliest indication of the result is expected no sooner than mid-morning tomorrow, when the political tally men start estimations from the 43 constituencies.
Turnout is crucial with low voter numbers in two previous European referendums giving the anti-treaty side a huge boost.
Irish voters have rejected the last two at the first vote only to accept the EU reforms in a re-run the following years.
Mr Kenny cast his ballot at St Patrick's National School in Castlebar, Co Mayo alongside his wife Fionnuala while his Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore voted in Shankill, south Dublin this morning.
Elsewhere, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, one of the key figures in the anti-treaty camp, was out early casting his ballot in the constituency of Louth where he moved to from Belfast to contest the 2011 General Election.
Last night both Mr Kenny and Mr Adams made their final appeal for support.
The Taoiseach said a strong Yes would send a message that Ireland is on the road to the recovery and that it would help continue the strong flow of investment into businesses seen over the last few months.
"While there are still difficult challenges ahead, I hope people will vote Yes to continuing the progress we've made together," he said.
Mr Adams' final message to voters warned that the treaty would not solve the eurozone crisis and would put into the Constitution the failed austerity policies.
"I ask Irish citizens not to be bullied, not to give their democratic rights away, not to give up their say over Irish economic policy and not to write austerity into the Constitution," he said.
Shortly after polling stations opened there was a security alert outside the constituency office of Sinn Fein's vice president Mary Lou McDonald.
Army bomb experts were sent to the scene at North Strand Road, in north Dublin, just after 10am to investigate a suspicious device which was later made safe. The party confirmed the device had been a hoax pipebomb and that graffiti had been daubed on the front of the building.
In a break from tradition, State broadcaster RTÉ will not be reporting an exit poll but three recent opinion polls have shown a 60/40 split in favour of the treaty among Irish voters.
The Taoiseach has said he was confident, but never over-confident, before polling day but his number two Mr Gilmore refused to make a call.
Ireland is the only country in Europe holding a referendum on the treaty.
The treaty will come into effect with the support of 12 states, with or without Irish support.
Twenty five of the 27 European Union states have accepted the text of the treaty - with the exception of the UK and Czech Republic.
Only three states have ratified the treaty in full - Greece, Portugal and Slovenia - while Germany, Poland, Latvia, Romania, Austria and Denmark have begun the process.
If passed, the treaty will see stricter budgetary rules imposed on member states and penalties for those that fail to meet them.
The objective of the treaty is also to keep a control on deficits and ensure greater checks and balances are in place for money in and out of each country.
The Yes camp, including Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fáil, has argued that ratification will ensure Ireland has access to emergency funds from Europe should it require a second bailout.
Our live blog is up and running here. We'll have live results and reaction through the day tomorrow
Chief Inspector faces almost three hours of questions at McAreavey murder trial
Chief Inspector Luciano Gerard, who led the investigation into the murder of Michaela McAreavey, faced almost three hours of intensive cross examination on whether he and his officers tortured one of the men accused.
Time and again Avinash Treebhoowoon's lawyer Sanjeev Teeluckdharry confronted the police officer with his client's claims of brutality.
The hotel cleaner confessed to the murder but has since insisted the admission was extracted by force.
In a packed court room, five of the Mauritian Supreme Court fell silent as the frosty exchanges between the tenacious lawyer and seemingly unflappable witness unfolded.
Mr Teeluckdharry put it to CI Gerard that Treebhoowoon was taken to the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) offices at Line Barracks in Port Louis on January 11 last year - the day after the murder - and bundled into the kitchen.
Q: My instructions are three officers came toward him and told him to remove all his clothes - his shirt, his trousers, his shoes, his socks. Prior to that your officers removed handcuffs.
A: Never, my lord.
Q: My instructions are also the officers told him to lie on the table in the kitchen.
A: As I said earlier, my lord, we were in the front room.
Q: Accused number two (Sandip Moneea) was in the front room.
A: When we arrived we were all in the front room.
Q: When my client was made to lie naked on the table he was handcuffed again.
A: Never, my lord.
Q: One officer bent over his body.
A: Those are all false allegations.
Q: Another one took hold of both his legs.
A: Never, my lord.
Q: One of the officers took a broken plastic PVC pipe and hit several times on the soles of his feet.
A: Never, my lord, because such a case, this murder case, we know we have to bring the accused suspect on the next day before a court of law so this kind of treatment has never been used at the MCIT.
Q: My instructions are my client cried. They then told him to get down off the table, they forced him to jump several times and they asked him whether his soles are burning with pain. And they told him they are telling him to jump and whether he knows why.
A: Never, my lord
Q: They told him so the blood doesn't clot
A: No, my lord.
Q: My client was in pain and crying and he was further questioned whether he knows how the lady in room 1025 was killed.
A: No, my lord.
Q; My instructions are that the officers then took a towel, they wrapped it on his head and he was further assaulted several times all over his body.
A: Never, my lord.
Q: They repeatedly asked as him to tell how the lady was killed.
A: No, my lord.
Q: He was then ordered to wear his clothes, he was ordered to go, he was then taken to a bathroom downstairs.
A: We only have a toilet downstairs, my lord.
Q: He was told to take quick bath.
A: No, my lord, there's no bathroom downstairs.
Q: He was then brought upstairs again and this time SP (Superintendent Yoosoof) Soopun was present.
A: Mr Soopun was always present in the office as far as I can recall.
Q: My instructions are Mr Soopun gave three slaps to my client and threatened him in the following terms - speak out - and shows him a revolver which was partly apparent in his sock of his right leg.
A: Never, my lord, I don't see Mr Soopun doing such a thing.
Focus then shifted to the next day, back at the MCIT offices after Treebhoowoon appeared in court on a provisional charge, at which time he also made a complaint of police brutality to the magistrate.
Q: There were six officers surrounding accused number one. One of the officers took a chair and came to sit right in front of accused number one, caught hold of the face of accused number one and he started slapping accused number one and he ended up giving a hard blow on the left ear of accused number one.
A: For me, this is unfounded and it's totally false. Mr Treebhoowoon was taken to court where he made a complaint before a magistrate, the magistrate ordered him to be brought before a GMO (general medical officer) and I don't see why we should, or a MCIT officer or any police officer, should expose himself by ill-treating or inflicting any bodily harm on Mr Treebhoowoon.
Q: My instructions are my client was in acute pain and he felt numb at the place of his ear and for some while he could not hear what was going on.
A: No, my lord, for me he was physically fit.
Q: Officers may have been shouting at him but he could not hear. They brought him on the same table that they had brought him on the eve (of the 11th).
A: No, my lord, he was never placed on any table whatsoever.
Q: They made him lie on the table, they handcuffed him behind his back.
A: No, my lord.
Q: He was made to lie on his belly on the table.
A: Never, my lord.
Q: They brought a chair in front of the table. And officer brought a pale (of water) out, placed it on a chair in front of the table, then one officer caught hold of my client's head from the back of his neck and plunged his head into the pale full of water.
A: Never, my lord. We don't have any pale of water at the MCIT.
Q: That officer plunged his head several times in the water, he was made to suffocate. He was made to feel that he's at the mercy of MCIT for a single breath of air.
A: I say again, my lord, those are totally false. As I said before Mr Treebhoowoon had appeared before a court of law, he has made a complaint.
Q: My client started to suffocate and started to vomit blood and one officer had some mercy and told them to stop as Avinash Treebhoowoon was suffocating and was vomiting blood.
A: This is totally false, my lord.
Q: And before stopping that ill treatment, one officer dealt a blow on the back of my client.
A: Never, my lord.
Mr Teeluckdharry continued to bombard the officer with questions about this encounter at the MCIT building.
Q: My instructions are that you, CI Gerard, were tired and exasperated and you said the following: what did you say? You were beaten? That was not a beating. That was a preview. Now speak. And you ordered your officers: take a van, bring his mother and father and lock them all up."
A: That's totally false and ridiculous, my lord.
Q: You also shouted the following at him - This man (John McAreavey) his wife is dead. He will need a woman to live with. That's why we will take away your wife (Reshma), take her passport and send her to Ireland to live with the husband. We will do this because the government is in our hands and no one can touch us.
A: Never, my lord
Q: My instructions are my client on that day fell on your feet and implored for pity, he then fell on the feet of all other MCIT officers and implored for pity.
A: I say again, this is totally false and ridiculous
Time and again Avinash Treebhoowoon's lawyer Sanjeev Teeluckdharry confronted the police officer with his client's claims of brutality.
The hotel cleaner confessed to the murder but has since insisted the admission was extracted by force.
In a packed court room, five of the Mauritian Supreme Court fell silent as the frosty exchanges between the tenacious lawyer and seemingly unflappable witness unfolded.
Mr Teeluckdharry put it to CI Gerard that Treebhoowoon was taken to the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) offices at Line Barracks in Port Louis on January 11 last year - the day after the murder - and bundled into the kitchen.
Q: My instructions are three officers came toward him and told him to remove all his clothes - his shirt, his trousers, his shoes, his socks. Prior to that your officers removed handcuffs.
A: Never, my lord.
Q: My instructions are also the officers told him to lie on the table in the kitchen.
A: As I said earlier, my lord, we were in the front room.
Q: Accused number two (Sandip Moneea) was in the front room.
A: When we arrived we were all in the front room.
Q: When my client was made to lie naked on the table he was handcuffed again.
A: Never, my lord.
Q: One officer bent over his body.
A: Those are all false allegations.
Q: Another one took hold of both his legs.
A: Never, my lord.
Q: One of the officers took a broken plastic PVC pipe and hit several times on the soles of his feet.
A: Never, my lord, because such a case, this murder case, we know we have to bring the accused suspect on the next day before a court of law so this kind of treatment has never been used at the MCIT.
Q: My instructions are my client cried. They then told him to get down off the table, they forced him to jump several times and they asked him whether his soles are burning with pain. And they told him they are telling him to jump and whether he knows why.
A: Never, my lord
Q: They told him so the blood doesn't clot
A: No, my lord.
Q: My client was in pain and crying and he was further questioned whether he knows how the lady in room 1025 was killed.
A: No, my lord.
Q; My instructions are that the officers then took a towel, they wrapped it on his head and he was further assaulted several times all over his body.
A: Never, my lord.
Q: They repeatedly asked as him to tell how the lady was killed.
A: No, my lord.
Q: He was then ordered to wear his clothes, he was ordered to go, he was then taken to a bathroom downstairs.
A: We only have a toilet downstairs, my lord.
Q: He was told to take quick bath.
A: No, my lord, there's no bathroom downstairs.
Q: He was then brought upstairs again and this time SP (Superintendent Yoosoof) Soopun was present.
A: Mr Soopun was always present in the office as far as I can recall.
Q: My instructions are Mr Soopun gave three slaps to my client and threatened him in the following terms - speak out - and shows him a revolver which was partly apparent in his sock of his right leg.
A: Never, my lord, I don't see Mr Soopun doing such a thing.
Focus then shifted to the next day, back at the MCIT offices after Treebhoowoon appeared in court on a provisional charge, at which time he also made a complaint of police brutality to the magistrate.
Q: There were six officers surrounding accused number one. One of the officers took a chair and came to sit right in front of accused number one, caught hold of the face of accused number one and he started slapping accused number one and he ended up giving a hard blow on the left ear of accused number one.
A: For me, this is unfounded and it's totally false. Mr Treebhoowoon was taken to court where he made a complaint before a magistrate, the magistrate ordered him to be brought before a GMO (general medical officer) and I don't see why we should, or a MCIT officer or any police officer, should expose himself by ill-treating or inflicting any bodily harm on Mr Treebhoowoon.
Q: My instructions are my client was in acute pain and he felt numb at the place of his ear and for some while he could not hear what was going on.
A: No, my lord, for me he was physically fit.
Q: Officers may have been shouting at him but he could not hear. They brought him on the same table that they had brought him on the eve (of the 11th).
A: No, my lord, he was never placed on any table whatsoever.
Q: They made him lie on the table, they handcuffed him behind his back.
A: No, my lord.
Q: He was made to lie on his belly on the table.
A: Never, my lord.
Q: They brought a chair in front of the table. And officer brought a pale (of water) out, placed it on a chair in front of the table, then one officer caught hold of my client's head from the back of his neck and plunged his head into the pale full of water.
A: Never, my lord. We don't have any pale of water at the MCIT.
Q: That officer plunged his head several times in the water, he was made to suffocate. He was made to feel that he's at the mercy of MCIT for a single breath of air.
A: I say again, my lord, those are totally false. As I said before Mr Treebhoowoon had appeared before a court of law, he has made a complaint.
Q: My client started to suffocate and started to vomit blood and one officer had some mercy and told them to stop as Avinash Treebhoowoon was suffocating and was vomiting blood.
A: This is totally false, my lord.
Q: And before stopping that ill treatment, one officer dealt a blow on the back of my client.
A: Never, my lord.
Mr Teeluckdharry continued to bombard the officer with questions about this encounter at the MCIT building.
Q: My instructions are that you, CI Gerard, were tired and exasperated and you said the following: what did you say? You were beaten? That was not a beating. That was a preview. Now speak. And you ordered your officers: take a van, bring his mother and father and lock them all up."
A: That's totally false and ridiculous, my lord.
Q: You also shouted the following at him - This man (John McAreavey) his wife is dead. He will need a woman to live with. That's why we will take away your wife (Reshma), take her passport and send her to Ireland to live with the husband. We will do this because the government is in our hands and no one can touch us.
A: Never, my lord
Q: My instructions are my client on that day fell on your feet and implored for pity, he then fell on the feet of all other MCIT officers and implored for pity.
A: I say again, this is totally false and ridiculous
Central Bank agrees to buy proposed Anglo Irish Bank HQ site
The Central Bank has officially bought the half-finished headquarters of Anglo Irish Bank.
A price was agreed between Central Bank bosses and the National Asset Management Agency (Nama) which took ownership of the eight-storey empty shell after the Anglo bailout in 2009.
Nama chief executive Brendan McDonagh said the organisation was delighted with the sale, understood to be valued at around €7m.
The sealed-off site where the skeletal building stands at Dublin's North Wall Quay was once valued at €250m, but Nama put it on the market for between €8-10m.
"We are very happy with the price secured for the asset," said Mr McDonagh.
"Nama, working with the receivers, had prioritised the sale of this asset for the past 18 months and had engaged with a number of interested parties. We are very happy now to have concluded the process and look forward to the Central Bank completing the building which will greatly enhance the whole landscape in the Dublin docklands."
It emerged last month that the Central Bank was interested in buying the property which stands as a tombstone to the so-called Celtic Tiger.
Money raised by Nama through the sale of the building will go towards clearing bad debts from the main banks.
Facebook and major finance house BNY Mellon are understood to have expressed an interest in the property.
The site overlooking the city's docklands and borders the IFSC was bought by developer Liam Carroll, one of the biggest and first victims of the recession. His Zoe Developments went into liquidation in 2009 with debts of around €1.3bn.
Once finished, the building was intended as the headquarters for Anglo Irish Bank, now synonymous with the economic crisis because of its history with bad loans and controversy.
It is understood construction will begin next year to complete the building. Work is expected to take around 18 months to complete and the Central Bank is reportedly hoping to move staff in by 2015
A price was agreed between Central Bank bosses and the National Asset Management Agency (Nama) which took ownership of the eight-storey empty shell after the Anglo bailout in 2009.
Nama chief executive Brendan McDonagh said the organisation was delighted with the sale, understood to be valued at around €7m.
The sealed-off site where the skeletal building stands at Dublin's North Wall Quay was once valued at €250m, but Nama put it on the market for between €8-10m.
"We are very happy with the price secured for the asset," said Mr McDonagh.
"Nama, working with the receivers, had prioritised the sale of this asset for the past 18 months and had engaged with a number of interested parties. We are very happy now to have concluded the process and look forward to the Central Bank completing the building which will greatly enhance the whole landscape in the Dublin docklands."
It emerged last month that the Central Bank was interested in buying the property which stands as a tombstone to the so-called Celtic Tiger.
Money raised by Nama through the sale of the building will go towards clearing bad debts from the main banks.
Facebook and major finance house BNY Mellon are understood to have expressed an interest in the property.
The site overlooking the city's docklands and borders the IFSC was bought by developer Liam Carroll, one of the biggest and first victims of the recession. His Zoe Developments went into liquidation in 2009 with debts of around €1.3bn.
Once finished, the building was intended as the headquarters for Anglo Irish Bank, now synonymous with the economic crisis because of its history with bad loans and controversy.
It is understood construction will begin next year to complete the building. Work is expected to take around 18 months to complete and the Central Bank is reportedly hoping to move staff in by 2015
Polling stations expecting rush as turnout remains low
Polling stations are anticipating a tea-time rush as voting continues in the EU Fiscal Treaty referendum.
Turn-out has been fairly slow so far, although some areas of the country have reported the number of voters picked up this afternoon.
Voter turnout in Kerry is averaging around 8%, some parts of Offaly have registered a 15% turnout.
It is roughly around 12% across county Clare.
Turnout in Dublin is ranging from as low as 6% up to 12%, while Cork is reporting lower numbers than voted in the Presidential election and referenda last year.
Polling stations remain open until 10pm tonight with the majority of people expected to have their say after 5pm this evening.
Turn-out has been fairly slow so far, although some areas of the country have reported the number of voters picked up this afternoon.
Voter turnout in Kerry is averaging around 8%, some parts of Offaly have registered a 15% turnout.
It is roughly around 12% across county Clare.
Turnout in Dublin is ranging from as low as 6% up to 12%, while Cork is reporting lower numbers than voted in the Presidential election and referenda last year.
Polling stations remain open until 10pm tonight with the majority of people expected to have their say after 5pm this evening.
Clare v Kilkenny, Allianz League League 1 Semi Final Preview
Sunday, April 22
Allianz Hurling League Division I semi-final
Clare v Kilkenny, Semple Stadium, 2pm
Allianz Hurling League Division I semi-final
Clare v Kilkenny, Semple Stadium, 2pm
Clare and Kilkenny get an intriguing afternoon’s action in Semple Stadium underway when they meet in the first of the Allianz Hurling League semi-finals at 2pm.
As Division IB champions, following their impressive comeback victory over Limerick two weeks ago, the unbeaten Banner men get the chance to fight it out with the Cats for a place in the Allianz League final on May 6.
Kilkenny, it seems, are keen to win back the Allianz League title for the first time since 2009, especially after the near-hysteria that greeted their defeat to Dublin in last year’s final. That has long been consigned to memory with a subsequent All-Ireland final win and by topping the table in Division IA this year with four wins from five, the defeat to Cork on Leeside the only blot on their copy book.
“I think it’s very important for us to put up a good show on Sunday and if we are good enough to win we’ll have a league final to look forward to another competitive game coming into the championship,” said captain Eoin Larkin in an interview with GAA.ie last week.
The shortened league format has hit the Cats the harder than most this year, as they are not due out in the championship until June 23 and defeat on Sunday would leave them without another competitive game for over two months. A league final on May 6 would bridge that wide gap nicely for Brian Cody and his charges.
With Henry Shefflin returning to non-contact training this week, things are looking particularly rosy in the Kilkenny garden at the moment, especially after they secured their place in Sunday’s semi-final with a 3-26 to 0-10 trouncing of Galway. Richie Power, who was sent off in the defeat to Cork, returns from suspension, although Richie Hogan and Noel Hickey remain sidelined through injury. John Tennyson could feature as he continues he recovery from long-term injury.
For Clare, centre-back James McInerney is ruled out with a broken thumb, with Pat O’Connor the favourite to switch to the No. 6 slot from wing back. Colin Ryan will undergo a late fitness test to decide if he can take his place at corner forward.
Speaking this week, Clare captain Pat Donnelan said Sunday’s game will provide an accurate gauge of where the Banner are ahead of their Munster Championship clash with Waterford on June 17. He also warned of the dangers of failing to perform against Kilkenny.
"If you don’t perform against them they can obliterate you and can put you away early. We’ve played well in the League so far but at the same time we know that there’s a big gap between what we’ve been playing so far as opposed to Kilkenny, who have been setting the standards.
"We know where we’re at and if we want to be challenging against those sort of teams we have to be performing at another level or two up and we know that the next day we’ll have to start well, we’ll have to bring intensity, we’ll have to bring a physicality and performance that will match them and not get thrown aside like teams have by them before.”
There is no doubt that Clare will be making a massive step up from the standard of opposition they have faced this spring, although Limerick will have real designs on making inroads in this year’s championship and Davy Fitzgerald’s side bookended their Division IB engagements with wins over the Treaty men.
Clare’s last appearance in an Allianz League semi-final, was, coincidentally, against the Cats back in 2001, when they won on a 2-21 to 3-8 scoreline before losing to Tipperary in the final. The also met in the 2005 Allianz League final, with Kilkenny winning out on that occasion, by 3-20 to 0-15.
Victory would be a notable achievement for Clare, but one suspects that the Cats have real designs on bringing a league title back to Noreside for the first time in three years, and they might just have too much class for a young Banner outfit on Sunday
MAtch Preview Tipperary v Limerick
Sunday, May 27
Munster GAA Hurling Championship Quarter-Final
Tipperary v Limerick, Semple Stadium, Thurles, 4pm
Munster GAA Hurling Championship Quarter-Final
Tipperary v Limerick, Semple Stadium, Thurles, 4pm
Tipperary and Limerick get the 2012 Munster GAA Hurling Championship underway when they meet at Semple Stadium, Thurles on Sunday.
This will be the 64th Championship meeting between the sides, with Tipperary aiming for a 33rd victory, while 10 games have been drawn.
Two of those draws came in 2007, the last year they met in the Munster Championship, when Limerick eventually triumphed after a second replay, and an epic trilogy of games, in their Munster Championship semi-final at the Gaelic Grounds.
In the All-Ireland series, the sides last met in the 2009 All-Ireland semi-final, a game Tipperary won by 6-19 to 2-7 thanks to a hat-trick of goals from Lar Corbett, who returns to the Tipperary panel on Sunday after taking a break from the game.
Remarkably, Limerick’s dramatic 2007 triumph was the only game they have won in their last 16 Munster Championship appearances, although they have drawn on five occasions in that period. Limerick’s last win away from the Gaelic Grounds came all the way back in 2001 with away victories over Cork and Waterford.
Limerick, therefore, go in as massive underdogs against the reigning Munster champions, who are playing on their home patch and are seeking a fourth Munster title in five years. Limerick’s last Munster title came back in 1996.
Limerick’s Allianz League campaign was bookended by defeats to Clare, the latter, in the Division IB final, meaning they will once again play in the second tier in 2012.
Speaking this week, Limerick manager John Allan believes his side are at a disadvantage as a result.
"It's very hard to gauge where we are at, given that we weren't playing in the 'A' division. We have played Dublin and Galway in challenge games, we did beat Dublin. Dublin were understrength, as we were ourselves against Galway.
"In terms of training, it has been very good, there is a very good work ethic, a good atmosphere and our inter-house matches are very good. I'd be happy enough that we are in a good place."
The return of Corbett to the Tipp squad, though, has changed the mood in the Premier County from one of doom to one of genuine optimism ahead of the summer campaign.
Although Corbett is unlikely to play any part against Limerick, his presence at training alone is likely to have raised spirits in Declan Ryan’s camp. In a further boost, Eoin Kelly, Seamus Callanan and Patrick Maher are all back from injury, while Adrian Ryan is ruled out.
For Limerick, Seamus Hickey is ruled out with a broken elbow. Nineteen-year-old forward Declan Hannon is available but will not start having missed most of the season to date with a groin problem.
The winners play Cork in the Munster Championship semi-final on June 24.
Limerick (SH v Tipperary): N Quaid: S Walsh, R McCarthy, T Condon; W McNamara, D O’Grady, G O’Mahony; P Browne, J Ryan; D Breen, C Allis, S Dowling; G Mulcahy, K Downes, S Tobin.
Tipperary (SH v Limerick): B Cummins; D Maher, P Curran, M Cahill; T Stapleton, C O’Mahony, P Maher; J Woodlock, B Maher; G Ryan, N McGrath, P Bourke; E Kelly, B O’Meara, J O’Brien
Central Bank formally agrees to buy North Wall building
The Central Bank has formally agreed to buy the partially constructed building in Dublin, which should have been the new headquarters of the failed Anglo Irish Bank.
The shell of the building on North Wall Quay in Dublin will now be finished and house all offices of the Central Bank of Ireland, which are currently spread across a number of sites.
NAMA, which had been negotiating to sell the building for the past 18 months, has welcomed the deal, but has not disclosed the sale price.
However, some reports suggest the Central Bank has agreed to pay €7m
The shell of the building on North Wall Quay in Dublin will now be finished and house all offices of the Central Bank of Ireland, which are currently spread across a number of sites.
NAMA, which had been negotiating to sell the building for the past 18 months, has welcomed the deal, but has not disclosed the sale price.
However, some reports suggest the Central Bank has agreed to pay €7m
Top Hurling Stories
Westmeath’s John Shaw says the Lake County have to emulate their second half performance in the shock win over Antrim last month if they want to go one step better and knock Galway out of the Leinster GAA Hurling Championship on Sunday.
We have beaten Antrim and Carlow and we need to step up now and beat an Offaly or a Wexford. Or Galway.
John Shaw, Westmeath
Shaw, the veteran Raharney clubman, says the 0-14 to 0-12 win over the Saffrons was the best performance he has seen from a Westmeath team in his 13 seasons playing at inter-county level.
But, in an interview with GAA.ie, the 30-year-old full-forward admits the players were ‘annoyed’ with their first half performance and need to play for the full 70 minutes against Galway on Sunday or they run the risk of being heavily beaten.
Westmeath were five points down at half-time against Antrim and had a man sent off after half an hour, but Brian Hanley’s side defied the odds and came back strongly to score a sensational win.
“The second half especially was a real team performance - everyone played out of their skins,” says Shaw.
“We will be trying to emulate that against Galway. Against Galway a performance in both halves will be required. One half won’t be good enough, we’ll be out of sight really.
“Antrim’s downfall was that they had chances to put us away in the first half and they allowed us to remain in the game.”
Westmeath go into Sunday’s clash with the Tribesmen, again with home advantage at Cusack Park, Mullingar, brimming with confidence.
Last year, the underdogs went toe-to-toe with Galway for 60 minutes before fading in the closing stages, losing eventually on a 2-14 to 4-17 scoreline.
Speaking at the launch of the Etihad Skyline tour in Croke Park on Wednesday, Shaw admits he would love to be in a similar position with 10 minutes to go on Sunday, knowing that their conditioning and fitness levels have improved immeasurably in the meantime.
“With 10 minutes to go against Galway it was a draw game. If we get to that stage this year we will have a great chance because physically we are in much better shape than we were last year. There has been a big turnaround in terms of training and the attitude to training this year.
“That’s what we are aiming to try and do – to put ourselves in a position that we can win the game.
“If we get to these last 10 or 15 minutes and we are in the game anything can happen then.”
Westmeath’s story is truly a remarkable one. Last April, when Galway native Hanley was appointed as manager, he took over a side that had lost all seven of their Allianz Hurling League Division II games.
Since then, they have claimed Championship wins over Carlow and Antrim and contested a Division IIA League final, losing narrowly to the Barrowsiders.
“The manager has brought in professionalism and honesty,” says Shaw. “He’s been straight down the line from the very start. Lads have responded to it.
“He always kept telling us, ‘The hurlers are there, the hurlers are there’ but we needed to prepare ourselves a little bit better. Hopefully that’s what we’ve been doing this year and we will see the fruits of it on Sunday again.
“For example, there are only five or six players there this Sunday that played against Galway last year. That’s an overhaul. There are other players that could be there this year and for one reason or another – guys are away or couldn’t commit – couldn’t be there.
“We could be even stronger if we had everybody. There are plenty of players there and Westmeath clubs have shown that they are able to compete in the Leinster Championshp with any club team in Ireland. The talent is there.”
Shaw’s club, Raharney, are a shining example of the quality that is in Westmeath. They have won three of the last six county championships and knocked 2012 All-Ireland club finalists Coolderry out in the provincial stages of the competition in 2010.
But since he was called into the Westmeath senior panel in 2000, he has known mostly lean times, with the Lake men struggling to cement their place as regular competitors for the Liam MacCarthy Cup.
Indeed, the win over Antrim last month was just the third victory in the top tier of the championship – Dublin in 2006 and Carlow last year being the others - he has experienced in 13 years.
“The early years were our own fault,” adds Shaw, who captained the Westmeath side that won the Christy Ring Cup title in 2005. “The last five years have been a lot better and you will only get victories if you prepare a lot better. We’ve seen that now.
“I think that over the next five years Westmeath will have a lot more victories in the Leinster Championship. That’s what we are looking for – to progress.
“We have beaten Antrim and Carlow and we need to step up now and beat an Offaly or a Wexford. Or Galway.”
Carroll widow prepared to meet parents of husband's killer
The widow of Constable Stephen Carroll said that she is prepared to meet the parents of one of her husband's killers to help the North move forward.
Kate Carroll said that the decision to talk to Brendan McConville's mother and father was not a difficult one.
McConville and 21-year-old John Paul Wooton are serving 25 and 14-year sentences respectively for killing Constable Carroll in 2009.
Mrs Carroll said that actions speak louder than words.
"If you say you're going to move forward then try and do it," she said.
"I have no contentions with anybody. As I said one time, I'm a nobody who loves everybody, and if I can make things better for people in this life then why not?
"You're just here once."
Kate Carroll said that the decision to talk to Brendan McConville's mother and father was not a difficult one.
McConville and 21-year-old John Paul Wooton are serving 25 and 14-year sentences respectively for killing Constable Carroll in 2009.
Mrs Carroll said that actions speak louder than words.
"If you say you're going to move forward then try and do it," she said.
"I have no contentions with anybody. As I said one time, I'm a nobody who loves everybody, and if I can make things better for people in this life then why not?
"You're just here once."
BBC Radio 4 to dramatise 'Ulysses'
The 'Today' programme on BBC Radio 4 will become a real-life breakfast show next month when actor Henry Goodman cooks a meal in the studio as part of a day-long dramatisation of James Joyce's novel 'Ulysses'.
The complex novel, set over the course of the day of June 16, 1904 in Dublin, will be broadcast over five-and-a-half hours in seven sections.
Goodman plays one of its central characters and is joined by Bafta-winning 'Sherlock' star Andrew Scott, Niamh Cusack and Stephen Rea.
An early scene in which Goodman's character cooks kidneys for his wife will form part of the early-morning 'Today' show. Extracts will be played over the rest of the day, ending just before midnight.
A series of shows about the book and Joyce's life will be broadcast, with Melvyn Bragg examining the novel in a special 'In Our Time' programme.
'Front Row' presenter Mark Lawson is broadcasting from Dublin during the day, where the annual Bloomsday celebration of the novel is taking place. He will visit various landmarks mentioned in the book.
Jeremy Howe, commissioning editor at Radio 4 drama, said Mr Lawson would act as a guide to the novel: "His job is to hold our hand, the hand of the audience, and to guide them because I think there is a fear factor with this book and there are some scenes - and I'm a great fan of the book - but they are indigestible."
The book, widely regarded as a literary classic, caused controversy when it was published in 1922 because of its modernist stream-of-consciousness style and its frank approach to sex.
Mr Howe said: "Adapting Ulysses for radio is not without its challenges, particularly given some of the strong content.
"It is bawdy, irreverent and sometimes just plain smutty but always vital, life-affirming and entertaining. I have no doubt the Radio 4 listeners will take it in their stride."
The complex novel, set over the course of the day of June 16, 1904 in Dublin, will be broadcast over five-and-a-half hours in seven sections.
Goodman plays one of its central characters and is joined by Bafta-winning 'Sherlock' star Andrew Scott, Niamh Cusack and Stephen Rea.
An early scene in which Goodman's character cooks kidneys for his wife will form part of the early-morning 'Today' show. Extracts will be played over the rest of the day, ending just before midnight.
A series of shows about the book and Joyce's life will be broadcast, with Melvyn Bragg examining the novel in a special 'In Our Time' programme.
'Front Row' presenter Mark Lawson is broadcasting from Dublin during the day, where the annual Bloomsday celebration of the novel is taking place. He will visit various landmarks mentioned in the book.
Jeremy Howe, commissioning editor at Radio 4 drama, said Mr Lawson would act as a guide to the novel: "His job is to hold our hand, the hand of the audience, and to guide them because I think there is a fear factor with this book and there are some scenes - and I'm a great fan of the book - but they are indigestible."
The book, widely regarded as a literary classic, caused controversy when it was published in 1922 because of its modernist stream-of-consciousness style and its frank approach to sex.
Mr Howe said: "Adapting Ulysses for radio is not without its challenges, particularly given some of the strong content.
"It is bawdy, irreverent and sometimes just plain smutty but always vital, life-affirming and entertaining. I have no doubt the Radio 4 listeners will take it in their stride."
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