Calls for an early general election have grown louder following the comparatively poor performance of Sinn Féin who claimed 12% of seats nationally.

Voting commenced at 7am and will continue until 10 o'clock tonight.

There are 35 candidates in Co Leitrim, 37 in Co Roscommon and 39 in Co Longford, with 18 seats available in all three counties.

Almost 119,000 people in Longford, Leitrim and Roscommon are eligible to vote in the local elections.

Mairead O'Shea of See Her Elected says Leitrim is in line with the national trend.

The plant shut in 2008, with the loss of 200 jobs, and has remained vacant ever since.

The retired deputy principal and secondary-school teacher is standing as an Independent.

Local TD Michael Fitzmaurice has welcomed the Cavan native's addition to the ticket in Ballinamore.