Irish abortion referendum: yes wins with 66.4% – as it happened

Two more results have come in, again in line with last night’s exit polls:

• Wicklow 74.26% yes, 25.74% no
• Carlow-Kilkenny, 63.50% yes, 36.50% no
  

Orla O’Connor, co-director of the Together for Yes campaign, celebrates “a monumental day for women in Ireland”, saying the expected referendum vote is “about a rejection of an Ireland that treats women as second-class citizens”.

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Readers have been getting in touch to share their reaction to the result.

Chelsea, a student teacher in Dublin, is very happy that the yes vote was so high. “I’m over the moon to know that Ireland has voted so strongly in favour of removing legislation that is potentially damaging to women and families in our country. I think it’s an overwhelming turn out for a referendum and proves the importance of making a change.”

Philomena Mason, 62, from Galway says “it’s a wonderful day for Ireland”. Mason voted against the amendment being included in the constitution in 1983 and thinks the change has come about about because of the testimony of women during this referendum campaign.

“A lot of women have told harrowing stories of crisis pregnancies where they had no option but to travel to the UK for terminations and felt strongly that this care should be made available in their own country.”

Nick, a junior doctor who lives in Ireland, thinks that the result is a huge win for women, doctors and legislators so that it will now be possible “to provide healthcare, compassion and support at home rather than turning our backs on people in need”.

Rossa Bunworth, 67, a retired public servant from Dublin says he’s “stunned and delighted as a parent and grandparent of women and girls who are trusted at last”.

If you’d like to share your reaction, you can do so here.

Sinéad Baker in Dublin has spoken to a proud and happy local:

And here is an opposing point of view:

The crowds are starting to assemble at Dublin Castle, where Ireland’s health minister, Simon Harris, is speaking, RTÉ reports:

The Liberal Democrat leader, Vince Cable, has told the BBC that “action will now have to be taken” over Northern Ireland, set to be the only part of the UK and Ireland where abortions are outlawed bar exceptional circumstances:

I believe in the principle of the right to choose - I think in the rest of the UK we have a sensible balance. The position in Northern Ireland is now highly anomalous and I think, probably, action will now have to be taken.

Since there is, effectively, direct rule from Westminster, the government has responsibility and it can and should take the opportunity to deal with this issue properly.

The official turnout has been given as 62.2%, an increase of 2% over Ireland’s referendum on same-sex marriage:

Cork North-Central is in: 64.02% for yes, 35.98% for no.

Here’s what the count looks like in Roscommon-Galway, and presumably a good many counting centres up and down the country this afternoon:

We’ve had two more official results showing a clear lead for repeal:

• Dublin Central: Yes 76.51%, No 23.49%
• Cork South-Central: Yes 68.84%, No 31.16%