In Ireland - a landslide vote to lift a decades-old ban on abortion. 66 percent of the electorate voted to liberalize highly restrictive abortion laws. CGTN's Richard Bestic reports from Dublin.

The result when it came had been long trailed but it was welcomed all the same by campaigners.

BARRY RYAN RETURNING OFFICER "The majority in favor of the proposal was 706,349."

Hours before the count was even completed, exit polls showed victory had been handed to those urging reform: Supporters of change to Ireland's draconian abortion laws, jubilant.

"Overjoyed, overwhelmed, I've been waiting for this for such a long time." 

"It's like the beginning of righting the wrongs in Irish history."

Turnout for this landmark referendum was at record levels, the size of the majority calling for change sending a clear message to government. And with the scale of the mandate given the country's political leaders, there's expected to be little Parliamentary resistance to plans bringing Ireland's abortion laws into line with most of the rest of Europe. 

Outside the count, it was a carnival atmosphere as hundreds gathered at Dublin Castle to share in the delights of victory.

"I was a first-time voter in this referendum so to be part of something that was so changing, groundbreaking in the country was really amazing."

"For me, the result is just fantastic for all of Ireland and for all the women and men and including the deaf community."

When Prime Minister Leo Varadkar arrived he struggled to make his way through celebrating crowds before telling them the referendum had been a quiet revolution for a modern Ireland.

LEO VARADKAR IRISH PRIME MINISTER "The people have spoken and they are saying that this is a country in which we trust women and respect their choices. Thank you so much for making today possible. Thank you."

Varadkar's government now plans to quickly draw up legislation allowing abortions in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

RICHARD BESTIC DUBLIN "One of the places where the referendum result here will have an immediate impact is north of the border in the UK. The result here will put pressure on Northern Ireland in the UK's jurisdiction, where abortions are illegal in all but the most extreme cases. Politicians in London already taking to social media to welcome the result in the South and saying laws in the North will come under the spotlight. RB CGTN Dublin."