Early indications are positive for Kevin 'Boxer' Moran

Athlone may have a TD again, if early tallies at the Longford/Westmeath election count in TUS Athlone this morning, are anything to go by.

Early indications are that Kevin 'Boxer' Moran's vote in the Athlone and South Westmeath area is well up on his 2020 performance, when he lost his seat in the face of a Sinn Féin surge.

For example, tallies show that he took 60.6% of the vote in Box 27, Clonbonny, up from 50.6% last time.

He is also understood to be polling credibly in South Longford.

Boxer's supporters are remaining tight-lipped in the count centre but all parties here are predicting, at this early stage, that Moran looks likely to return to the Dáil.

See our live blog for regular updates throughout the weekend.