The first results in the local elections are expected to be declared in the coming hours.

But already a clearer picture of how the country has voted in 'Elections 14' is coming through.

Labour is facing a wipeout in European seats, Fine Gael could also be in trouble for a seat in the capital - and Sinn Féin is in with a shout of winning the by-election in Dublin West.

Three hours into the counting and a result is still awaited.

The most accurate tallies so far relate to the by-elections.

In Longford Westmeath more than half of boxes are open - and Gabrielle McFadden who wants to retain the seat held by her late sister Nicky - is on 26%.

Fianna Fáil's Aengus O'Rourke is on 19% and Kevin Boxer Moran who is former Fianna Fáil is on 15%.

In Dublin West a battle's emerging.

We've 60% of boxes tallied and Ruth Coppinger of the Socialist Party is marginally ahead of Sinn Féin's Paul Donnelly - so the transfers will be key.

On the European elections - counting won't take place until tomorrow - but tallies and an RTE exit poll are resulting in some predictions - the most striking being a labour wipeout.

In Dublin Sinn Féin's Lynn Boylan will top the poll - well ahead of others - a strong performance from the Green's Eamon Ryan puts him in with a shout for a seat, leaving Fine Gael's Brian Hayes battling for the third.

In the South constituency that RTE exit poll shows Brian Crowley of Fianna Fáil topping the poll, followed by Sinn Féin's Liadh ni Riada and the Fine Gael candidates Sean Kelly and Deirdre Clune.

In the Midlands North-West Luke Ming Flanagan is on course to take the first seat polling at 20%.

Independents are expected to be the big winners in the local elections when the first results are announced in the coming hours.