Counting is underway in Ireland's historic referendum on same-sex marriage, with thousands of people, some of whom rushed home from living abroad to vote, gathering to hear the results.
The count started early on Saturday in 43 constituencies across the country, with the smallest among them expected to start producing results from midday. The nationwide result is expected in the afternoon.
But "Yes" supporters were already optimistic of victory. A junior government minister with responsibility for equality, Aodhan O Riordain wrote on Twitter: "Key boxes opened. It's a yes. And a landslide across Dublin. And I'm so proud to be Irish today."
Another junior minister, Kevin Humphreys, said he was "happy to predict at this stage that it's going to be an overwhelmingly 'Yes'
victory."
Legalising gay marriage would be a seismic change in the traditionally Catholic republic, where homosexuality was illegal until 1993 and abortion remains prohibited except where the mother's life is in danger.
Opinion polls forecast a comfortable victory for the "Yes" campaign. However, supporters have been warning for weeks of a large block of 'shy', largely rural and elderly "No" voters, who have not been as vocal in the campaign.
Around 3.2 million people were eligible to vote in Friday's referendum, and reports suggest there was a higher-than-expected turnout - a testament to the passions the issue has inspired.
State broadcaster RTE said large numbers of young voters took part, with queues stretching outside some polling stations during the early morning and late evening peaks.
The issue drew intense interest on social media under the hashtag #MarRef, with some young Irish voters posting selfies of themselves returning from jobs in Britain and elsewhere to vote in favour of gay marriage.
In another sign of how much interest the referendum has attracted, the government announced that the 2000-capacity grounds of Dublin Castle would be open to the public to hear the official
result announcement.
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