Laois Count Centre earlier today
The first count has concluded in Laois where Catherine Connolly has emerged as the clear favourite.
She secured 15,814 votes, more than double Heather Humphreys who got 6,775 votes and almost ten times more than Jim Gavin who secured 1,694.
In Laois 55.6 percent of voters backed Catherine Connolly, 23.8 percent voted for Heather Humphreys, 5.95 percent voted for Jim Gavin and 14.6 percent spoiled their votes.
There were 4,156 spoiled votes in the election and 24,283 valid votes and the turnout was 43.9 percent. The total number of people eligible to vote was 64,816.
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