Election 2022 Live Blog: Henry McDonald talks to newly elected MLA Diane Forsythe - Who has won a seat so far - Winning Alliance candidate declares ‘God save the queen!’

The unionist share of the vote in Northern Ireland has stayed above 40%, despite polls that showed it might fall as low as mid 30s.

Sinn Fein has continued their domination of Newry and Armagh, having had 48% of the vote at the last election, by securing two seats in the first count.Conor Murphy and Cathal Boylan secured their seats with 9847 and 9843 first preferences against a quota of 9815, with their running mate Liz Kimmins coming third in the poll with 7964 but having to wait till later to cross the line.

The DUP’s Willie Irwin secured 7577 and should retain his seat, but will not be repeating his feat in the previous two assembly elections of topping the poll.

The SDLP’s Justin McNulty was in fifth place with 6217 and is also expected to cross the line.

A stout battle between the UUP’s David Taylor and TUV’s Keith Ratcliffe saw them secure 3864 and 5407 first preferences respectively but with neither apparently in contention for a seat.

The TUV polled strongly to take a lead on the UUP, whose Danny Kennedy lost a seat here in the last assembly election, and the combined vote of the two parties suggested in principal that unionism could have retaken it, but with the votes going to two contrasting parties it looks certain that the SDLP’s Justice McNulty will retain his seat instead.