Longford #LE24: Sinn Féin's James Donnelly tipping along well in Longford municipal district

With just two boxes left to be tallied the early indication from TUI Athlone suggest the sitting members of Longford MD have established strong positions to hold their seats.

There are 6,243 voting papers piled away for transfer to Edgeworthstown for the start of counting later today. The Fianna Fáil team have a pep in their step as they appear to have cornered a good chunk of the first preferences.

As with all early predictions they are simply indications, and transfers may put a spanner in the works.

FGs Gerard Hagan leads the field after the tallying of 18 boxes with an estimated 995 first preferences. Across the chamber Martin Monaghan (FF) has 983.

FFs Seamus Butler continues to rack up string numbers, with 891 first preferences, and Peggy Nolan (FG) has 787 votes to her credit.

Fianna Fáilers Uruemu Adejinmi (407), and Kevin Hussey (414) have the party followers in buoyant mood.

Fine Gael's first timer Niall Gannon (458) has a good position for the long race.

Sinn Fein's James Donnelly has amassed 375 so far and will be hoping to build on that in the final two boxes.

Early showings from Sadia Athar (200) and Mujahid Manzoor (196) failed to build sufficiently through the boxes, but they are still in the hunt.

Anticipated spoiled votes stand at 124 papers.