Laois farmer leads way as third of votes counted in presidential election

There is growing but cautious optimism among Francie Gorman supporters that the Laois man will be elected as the next President of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA).

Francie Gorman had 55% of votes cast with a third of almost 1,000 branches counted by midday on Tuesday, December 12.

The IFA's live vote tracker showed at noon on Tuesday, that after the completion of counting of votes from 315 of 941 the mixed Ballinakill farmer had secured over 5,198 of the votes.

This was 10% ahead of the other candidate from Limerick, dairy farmer Martin Stapleton. He was who was sitting on just over 4,327 votes with 33% of votes accounted for.

Count staff in Dublin are wading through more than 20,000 postal votes and thousands more cast through the IFA branch structure around Ireland.

Mr Gorman's supporters believe the signs are good given the votes being secured in counties where dairy farming is strong. He has polled well in Leinster and has also had big returns in the West of Ireland and in the border counties.

The result may not be confirmed until late Tuesday, December 12.