Irish general election: Sinn Féin surges as half of seats filled - BBC News
More than half of the seats at stake in the Irish general election have been filled, following what has been a historic result for Sinn Féin.
The outcome was described as "something of a revolution in the ballot box" by the party's leader Mary Lou McDonald.
With all first preferences counted, the left-wing republican party has taken 24.5% of the vote, compared to 22% for Fianna Fáil and 21% for Fine Gael.
No one party will win enough seats for an outright majority.
About 100 of the 160 seats have been declared, but negotiations to establish a government could be prolonged.
