Vote counting is underway in Ireland’s national election. An exit poll suggests the contest is a close-fought race among the country’s three largest political parties.

The party had 12 TDs in the last Dáil and was the third stool in a three party government. Speaking at the count centre in Dublin West, party leader Mr O’Gorman said it was clear his party had “not had a good day” and it was likely that it could drop from 12 seats to two or three.

Counting begins in Ireland as the ruling center-right coalition looks set for re-election:::: Dublin, IrelandThe exit poll put the left wing Sinn Fein on 21.1%, the center-right Fine Gael of Prime Minister Simon Harris on 21.