THE COUNT: Casey currently heading for 25% in Meath West

Gavan Becton

Published: Sat 27 Oct 2018, 11:07 AM

Last updated: Sat 27 Oct 2018, 12:14 PM

Meath East: There was a 42% tournout in the constituency. Counting underway but no accurate tally in place (or anyone for that matter) but result expected to follow predicted exit polls lines. No presence of local politicians or party members. Breaking for lunch shortly

Meath West 12.30: 11 mainly urban boxes, totals for each candidate.. Casey 440; Duffy 59; Freeman 182; Gallagher 193; Higgins 1,114; Ni Riada 202. Sinn Fein people carrying out initial tallies have all but stopped and have left count centre. Sources say Casey will exceed predicted 21%

_{Shona and Cathal McLaughlin having an educational experience with their mum Bernadette from Moneymore Trim at the Meath West count.}

Meath West 11am: Eleven boxes from mainly rural areas have been opened in the Meath West count centre at Trim GAA

The total number of boxes to be opened in 116

Of the boxes currently opened, the votes totalling 1,978 are as follows

Peter Casey 478
Gavin Duffy 49
Joan Freeman 137
Sean Gallagher 179
Michael D Higgins 1,024
Liadh Ni Riada 111

That would show Peter Casey exceeding the expected 21% predicted in the exit polls. However, there is a long way to go in the count with a further 105 boxes to be considered.

_{His second count.....Ned Fennessy (8months) at his second election count with his dad Cllr Eddie Fennessy, Sinn Fein director of elections at the Meath West count in Trim GAA centre.}

Activity at the centre is extremely quiet with only tally people from SF and Social Democrats presentt 11am.

Last night's Exit Polls from The Irish Times showed MIchael D Higgins wining a second term as President with 56% of vote with Peter Casey on 21%, RTE Exit Poll says Higgins has 58% and Peter Casey 21%. Gavin Duffy at just 2%..