Ireland: Vote-count begins for same-sex marriage referendum

Hundreds of volunteers began counting votes in the Republic of Ireland's historic referendum on same-sex marriage, at the Dublin City Count Centre on Saturday morning. Around 3.2 million Irish voters were eligible to take part in the world's first plebiscite on same-sex marriage. The outcome will decide whether marriage equality will be enshrined in the country's constitution. Counting began at 08:00 GMT and early reports indicate that Ireland will vote 2:1 in favour of legalising same-sex marriage, a position supported by all the main political parties. The final result is expected to be known on Saturday afternoon. While 21 countries give same-sex couples the legal right to marry, Ireland would be the first to do so via popular ballot. Homosexuality in Ireland was decriminalised just 22 years ago.