homosexuality was illegal. irish people living here in the united states are returning to vote. most of irelands politicians are behind it. there is noisy rhetoric on both sides. the catholic church it is dominant in irish life has played a low key role in the vote. 80% of irish are catholics but the stature has been reduced after the catholic church hit hard by sex scandals. ireland will be the first country in the world to make gay marriage legal by direct vote. it is legal in 20 countries and legal in 37 states and the district of columbia. the supreme court should be taking up the issue soon. the polls close at 5 p.m.