IMPORTANT UPDATE: Nolan leads with over 21pc of the vote as half the boxes tallied in Offaly

WITH 61 boxes tallied out of a total of 112 in the Offaly constituency outgoing Independent TD Carol Nolan is leading the field with 21.61 per cent of the vote.

However it will not be enough to elect her on the first count in the new three seater constituency.

Three candidates almost have an equal share of first preferences – Fine Gael's John Clendennen is on 18.38pc, Sinn Fein's Aoife Masterson 17.2pc and Fianna Fail's Tony McCormack 16.46pc.

Independent Ireland' candidate Fergus McDonnell – based in Edenderry town – is on 7.92pc with Independent candidate Eddie Fitzpatrick on 5.82pc.

Outgoing Junior Minister Pippa Hackett is polling just 2.56pc of first preferences while the second Fianna Fail candidate Claire Murray is on 6.87pc.

Tally with 61 of 112 boxes opened.

Carol Nolan (IND) 21.61%

John Clendennen (FG) 18.38%

Aoife Masterson (SF) 17.20%

Tony McCOrmack (FF) 16.48%

Fergus MCDonnell (Ind Ire) 7.92%

Claire Muuray (FF) 6.87%

Eddie Fitzpatrick (Ind) 5.82%

Pippa Hackett (Green) 2.56%

Keisha Taylor (PBP) 1.44%

Mike Boylan (Ind) 0.96%

Maureen Ward (Aontu) 0.76%