There are early indications this morning (Saturday) that the referendums on amendments relating to Article 41 of the Irish Constitution, dealing with the family unit and the provision of care, could be heavily defeated in Carlow and Kilkenny.
Counting got underway locally this morning at the Lyrath Estate Hotel.
Speaking to KCLR News from the count centre, former Fine Gael Senator Pat O’Neill has said that this result will be a big blow for the government, saying:
“It’s a bad day for the government, being the two referendums that they proposed, are both being heavy defeated here in Carlow Kilkenny, and it’s looking like 70% against, and 30% for. I even saw one box from Carlow was 90% against. So I mean, I think the government have a lot to answer for in relation to the message. It wasn’t out there, people didn’t understand what they were voting for, and also this government is unpopular with a lot of people, and so they just said they’re not going to vote and support something that government were trying to support.”