Irish voters have begun heading to the polls in a closely fought general election. Ireland's Prime Minister Simon Harris had called for snap polls earlier this month.

Ireland is into its final hours of campaigning, ahead of tomorrow’s snap election. Opinion polls put current coalition partners Fine Gael and Fianna Fail within touching distance of each other and Sinn Fein – suggesting voters may end up with more of the same.

The Irish general election happens on Friday. In times past, observers would be marking the rise of Sinn Fein; now the interest has shifted to the parties that are challenging the political consensus.

Ireland goes to the polls today in a vote that looks closer than previously expected after prime minister Simon Harris lost the momentum that motivated him to call the the snap general election just three weeks ago.