ELECTION UPDATE: Final tally shows dominant lead for Catherine Connolly in Laois

Final tallies from the Presidential Election count centre at Scoil Chriost Ri in Portlaoise indicate a Laois vote for Catherine Connolly.  

Tallies of 107 of the 115 boxes put Catherine Connolly in a commanding lead on 63.43 percent with Heather Humphreys on 29.65 percent and Jim Gavin on 6.92 percent.

The tallies have the turnout at 33.18 percent but this figure excludes spoiled votes and there was a large number of spoiled votes. According to the tallies, there were 3,096 spoiled votes accounting for around 12 percent of the vote.   

A breakdown of the three Municipal Districts in Laois puts Connolly in the lead in all three. 

In Borris-in–Ossory Moutmellick Connolly was on 60.3 percent, Gavin was on 7.7 percent and Humphrys was on 32 percent. 

In Portlaoise Connolly had 65.8 percent of the vote, Gavin was on 5.6 percent and Humphreys was on 28.6 percent.

In Portarlington Graiguecullen Connolly had 64.9 percent of the vote, Gavin had 6.9 percent and Humphreys had 28.2 percent. 

The first count is underway at the Presidential Election count centre at Scoil Chriost Ri in Portlaoise.