Ireland heads to the polls to vote in local and European elections

Record number of far-right candidates on the ballot as polls show almost two-thirds of voters want tougher controls on immigration

Voters in Ireland are going to the polls in local and European elections that have been dominated by a housing shortage and a backlash against immigrants and refugees.

A record number of far-right candidates are on the ballot for local councils and the European parliament but it is unclear if many will get elected and join an expected far-right surge across Europe.