Irish people abroad are heading home to vote for same-sex marriage
Irish citizens from across the UK and the world are heading back to their home country to vote for same-sex marriage.
The Republic of Ireland is today voting on a proposal to introduce civil same-sex marriage. Polls are open from 7 AM until 10 PM.
However, amid warnings that the result may be tight – with fears of a strong turnout from older, religious voters who are more likely to oppose equality – many Irish citizens are heading home today in order to vote for same-sex marriage.
Twitter users have documented their journeys – with buses, airports and trains packed with people going to vote for equality.
Counting will take place on Saturday 23 May 2015 from 9am, with the result set to be declared in Dublin Castle.
The timing has caused jokes about a potential clash with the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, with drag artist Panti Bliss dubbing it the “gayest day ever”.
A moratorium is in place across Ireland’s broadcast media that prevents discussion of same-sex marriage until the polls close.
The vote does not affect Northern Ireland – where the Democratic Unionist Party continues to block all attempts to pass LGBT rights legislation including same-sex marriage.
The Irish Constitution requires referenda on a range of issues that would be usually passed by Parliaments in other countries.
