There was little tension in the betting hall of Limerick racecourse where the count for the region took place yesterday.
Just one public representative and one Dáil contender, along with a smattering of campaign groups, turned up for the result.
Everybody else could have been at the races. Even the one TV screen which was working showed racing from Towcester.
City councillor Mr Jack Bourke (FF) said he had never seen such a lack of interest in a count.
"It looks like confusion has won the day." Mr Barney Sheehan, an independent candidate in the general election, said the low turnout was an undesirable reflection on society. By 1.25 p.m., due to a new electronic verification system, the boredom was over.
In Limerick East, which includes the city, the No vote was marginally ahead by 1,405 votes but that was eroded by the strong Yes vote in the more rural Limerick West constituency.
Across both the Yes vote was carried by a margin of 2,352 out of 55,704 votes cast.
The spoiled votes, 357 in total, carried was more of a clue to what people were thinking. "What use will it do anyway," one said. Others read: "Still not what I want" and "Government only passing the buck".