Sinn Fein's Browne tipped for seat - first count due at 6.30pm

It was an exit poll that few expected – Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and surprise package Sinn Fein all tied on 22% of public support.
The political landscape looks set for a dramatic change with the bounce experienced by Sinn Fein in the final polls ahead of voting day, translating into big gains in constitutencies across the land including Tipperary.
Martin Browne – like many of his fellow Sinn Fein party candidates – has polled incredibly well in Tipperary and is set to become elected by the second count. A first count is expected from the Thurles Count Centre at the Presentation Secondary School between 6.30 and 7pm, when as predicted, Michael Lowry is set to be elected with a first preference vote of over 13,000 – more that 3,000 ahead of Cashel-based Browne. It's remarkable turnaround for Sinn Fein in Tipperary as Martin Browne lost his seat in last year's Local Elections but has benefited from the national bounce his party has enjoyed.
The other tally figures show Mattie McGrath in third place (8,012), followed by Labour’s Alan Kelly on 7,095 and Fianna Fáil’s Jackie Cahill on 6,990 meaning that Seamus Healy on 4,857 has it all to do if he's to reclaim his seat in the 33rd Dáil.
Fine Gael's selection of two candidates from the south of the county looks to have failed as Garret Ahearn has polled 4,388 while Mary Newman Julian is on 4,301 followed by Independent candidate Joe Hannigan (4,243).
Other candidates: Imelda Goldsboro (FF) – 3,178; Rob O'Donnell (Greens) – 2,669; Sandra Farrell (FF) – 2,044 and Dolores Cahill (Irish Freedom Party) - 485.
The country faces the prospect of another hung Dáil and protracted negotiations between the parties in an attempt to form a government. Already Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, buoyed on by some remarkable gains, has said she hopes to lead a left-leaning government without Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil.