'Yes' lobby delighted by Mayo tally trends

WITH 60 ballot boxes now open, the ‘Yes’ lobby appears to be cruising towards an emphatic victory in Mayo.

The latest tallies at the count centre in Castlebar show those in favour of repealing the 8th Amendment to be ahead – 58 per cent to 42 per cent.

Although the Mayo ‘No’ campaign claim the overall result locally is still in doubt, Together for Yes Mayo are confident of victory by a ‘substantial’ margin.

Richael Carroll, of Together for Yes, said her reaction to the trends voted locally and nationally is one of 'elation, delight, happiness and gratitude'.

Ms. Carroll said she wasn’t surprised – she had noticed a ‘huge shift’ towards removing the 8th Amendment in recent weeks

Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Lisa Chambers, who supports the amendment, visited the count centre in the TF Royal Hotel at around midday.

She welcomed the referendum result, stating that “It represents a seismic shift in our society”.

Deputy Chambers continued: “I think we woke up to a different country today, a more caring and compassionate nation.”

She added that after 12 weeks it will be extremely difficult to get a termination because of the legislation endorsement.

Ms. Chambers said she hoped that enough Dáil deputies on the ‘No’ side will accept the will of the people.