Residents of Donegal’s offshore islands are heading to the polls this Thursday to commence voting in the presidential election and blasphemy referendum.
Polling stations have opened on 12 islands nationally, including Donegal’s Arranmore, Gola, Inishboffin, Inishfree and Tory islands.
There are 2,601 people on the electorate voting today to choose Ireland’s next President and voting in the referendum on blasphemy in Galway, Mayo and Donegal.
Islanders traditionally vote a day early to ensure that ballots reach the mainland in time for the count.
However, Fianna Fáil spokesperson on the islands Éamon Ó Cuív said he is confident that this election will be the last time people living off the coast will have to vote a day early.
Mr Ó Cuív said that the arrangement is ‘unfair’ and improved transport services mean that there is no longer a valid reason for the tradition to continue.
All other Irish citizens will go to the polls on Friday 26th October, when stations will be open from 7am to 10pm.
