ELECTION LATEST: 27 out of 41 boxes tallied in Tullamore Electoral Area

Fine Gael's Neil Feighery retains a commanding lead with 1476 first preferences, or 18 per cent of the vote.

Clara based Frank Moran of Fianna Fail has put in the expected strong performance with 14 pc of the total tally, 1135 votes.

But with the remaining boxes to be tallied in the Tullamore town area he is unlikely to significantly add to his overall vote.

The quota will be in the region of 1450 votes, a figure which Neil Feighery has already surpassed though 35pc of boxes remain to be tallied.

First time candidate Ollie Bryant (FF) has performed brilliantly capturing 12pc of the vote, 958 first preferences.

Sinn Fein's Aoife Masterson is also in a strong position with 10pc (816 votes) and she will be helped by transfers from her running mate, Tim Farrell who polled 142 votes. She is also expected to perform strongly in Tullamore urban boxes.

Tullamore town based candidates Tony McCormack, Sean O'Brien and Declan Harvey are all on 9pc of the vote each – 749, 727 and 690 votes respectively.

They will also see their totals surge as the Tullamore town boxes are opened.

The Irish Freedom Party's Patrick Broder is on 4pc of the vote, 286 first preferences.

Despite an impressive campaign the Greens Liam Walsh did not poll well with 228 votes, or 3pc of the total tally.

Late entrant to the race, Independent Deirdre Dillion is on 1pc, 118 votes.