Ireland: Exit polls show boost for Independents in local elections. - Sinn Féin on course for Dublin Euro win

RTÉ exit polls show that Independent and other candidates appear to have won the highest percentage of the vote in yesterday's local elections, while Sinn Féin appears to be on course to win an MEP seat in Dublin.

The local election poll, which was carried out by Behaviour and Attitudes, took the views of more than 3,000 voters and has a national margin of error of less than 2%.

The poll found Independents and others received 27% of the national vote in the European elections and 28% in the locals.

• The Labour Party vote appears to have slumped from 19% in the last General Election to 7% in the locals and 6% in the Europeans.

Fine Gael's 36% support in 2011 fell to 24% in the local elections and to 22% in the European contest, according to the poll.

Fianna Fáil has seen an increase of 5% on its General Election showing, with the party's support estimated at 22%, which is below what it won in these elections five years ago.

Sinn Féin's support is up since the General Election from 10% to 17% in the European Elections and 16% in the council ones.

• The Green Party is estimated to be 3% in the locals and 6% in the European elections.

Support for the Socialist Party and the People Before Profit Alliance is at a combined 3%. .......[rte.ie]
24/5/14