EARLY VOTING:A NUMBER of elderly voters in nursing homes across the State have already voted in the past week to 10 days.
Islanders had the opportunity to vote yesterday, with ballot boxes being shipped and flown off Co Donegal to Arranmore, Gola, Inishbofin, Inishfree and Tory Island.
About 800 early voters had their say on the referendum.
The figures for those who have voted in nursing homes will not be confirmed until after the close of voting tomorrow night.
A spokesman for the Department of the Environment said returning officers in each constituency make arrangements locally for the vote.
Under election rules, a category known as special voters in institutions such as nursing homes, who are unable because of disability to get to polling stations, can opt to vote in the home.
A number of constituencies contacted confirmed residents had voted. A spokeswoman for Galway East and West said that voting had already taken place in about 15 homes with an electorate of 90-100, though not all voted.
Kerry North and South returning officer Pádraig Burke said voting in nursing homes had been completed in the past week to 10 days.
They had issued a total of 1,177 postal and special ballots but could not confirm numbers until the close of voting.
