LOCAL ELECTIONS UPDATE: Counting of votes commences in local elections in Offaly
Count starts to decide destination of 19 seats in the three electoral areas
The count is taking place at Mucklagh Community Centre and there are a total of 19 seats to be filled in the county's three electoral areas – Birr, Edenderry and Tullamore.
In all 37 candidates are battling to secure 19 seats with many sitting councillors poised to retain their seats according to tallies.
Outgoing Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick (FF) topped the poll in the Edenderry area while his party colleagues, sitting councillor, Peter Ormond topped the poll in Birr.
In Tullamore, sitting Fine Gael councillor, Neil Feighery will top the poll with a large surplus. The Killoughey based councillor was the only Fine Gael candidate in the elections race in the seven seater.
It will be some time before there is a first count with Edenderry the area likely first to produce a result.
Turnout was low throughout the county, particularly in Edenderry where tallies indicate it was just 44 per cent of eligible voters.
In Tullamore the turnout was reckoned to be 50pc and just slightly better in Birr at 52pc.