"Four errors" discovered during Birr area recount

Four errors have been discovered during the recount of votes for the Birr Electoral Area.

In an update a few minutes ago, Returning Officer, Monica Cleary, has said the re-examination of all the votes has now been completed, but she added that "four errors" had been discovered during this process.

She is due to issue a further update soon.

Large crowds of supporters from all the main parties are beginning to gather at the count centre in Mucklagh in anticipation of an announcement about the destination of the final two seats on Offaly County Council.

At the conclusion of the 12th count last night, the final two seats went to Fianna Fail's Audrey Hennessy Kennedy and Sinn Fein's Sean Maher, with outgoing Social Democrats Cllr, Clare Claffey, due to lose out.

However, with just 27 seats separating Cllr Claffey and Sean Maher, a representative from the Claffey camp called for a recount, which got underway today at 2pm.