Political upheaval in Ireland amid close election

Ireland faced political turmoil on Sunday as an exit poll from the weekend’s parliamentary election suggested that Sinn Fein, a left-wing party committed to reunification of the island, finished in a virtual dead heat with the two parties that have governed since the country won independence almost a century ago.

While ballot-counting remained underway, the poll indicated that Prime Minister Leo Varadkar’s centrist Fine Gael party, centrist rival Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein all received about 22% of first preference votes.

The predicted outcome means some type of coalition government is almost inevitable, with Sinn Fein likely to be a central player in the negotiations to form one.

Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Fein party leader said, "Our first preference is to form a new government without Fianna Fail or Fine Gael. That will of course be very much dependent on the numbers. I've already made contact with the Greens, with the Social Democrats, with others, so that's the first option that I want us to explore."

Both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have until now refused to work with Sinn Fein because of its links to the Irish Republican Army.

The centrist parties say Sinn Fein failed to repudiate the IRA’s role in the sectarian violence in Northern Ireland.

Sinn Fein's leader Mary Lou McDonald meanwhile appeared positive about her party's results in the exit poll, saying it was a sign of "further political change" in the country.

She also told Sky News "Our first preference is to form a new government without Fianna Fail or Fine Gael."

(AP Photo)