BREAKING: Voting in Limerick ends as exit poll gives early indication of how Ireland has voted

VOTING in the General Election across Limerick's two constituencies has concluded with polling stations closing at 10pm.

It comes as an exit poll, published on the stroke of the polls closing, shows that Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein are almost neck-and-neck in terms of vote share.

According to the information, Fianna Fail is at 19.5%, Sinn Fein is at 21.1% and Fine Gael at 21%.

Elsewhere, the Green Party's vote share is at 4%, the exit poll predicts, Labour is at 5%, and the Social Democrats have landed at 5.8%.

People Before Profit are on 3%, Aontu are on 3.6% and Independent candidates are at 12.7%, the poll suggests.

Independent Ireland's support stands at 2.2% based on the exit poll, with other candidates at 1.9%.

This is based on the first preference votes people have expressed. 

The data, gathered by Ipsos B&A is based on interviews with around 5,000 people across 253 locations across Ireland immediately after they voted.

The margin of error of the poll is 1.3%, but it will not necessarily reflect the number of seats each party will get, with preferences and local issues all important in terms of filling seats.

Commissioned by RTÉ, The Irish Times, TG4, Trinity College Dublin, it is the earliest reflection of voting patterns from the 2024 General Election.

Back in Limerick, a huge logistical operation will now kick into gear to transport ballot boxes from all 282 polling stations from all four corners of the county to the Limerick Racecourse.

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Security will be tight at the venue, with a garda presence over the night. The building containing the ballot boxes will be sealed.

Once again, the venue just outside Patrickswell is playing host to the count for the Limerick City constituency where there are four seats up for grabs, and the Limerick County constituency, where three TDs will be returned.

Voters in Limerick County had a choice of 15 candidates, with the electorate in Limerick City picking from a field of 17.

Boxes will begin to be opened from 9am. 

Limerick Live will bring you all the updates from the Count Centre over the weekend.

A live blog reporting all the day's events will begin on Saturday morning.