Cork, Ireland - Ireland looked almost certain Friday to reject the European Union's Lisbon Treaty with unofficial vote tallies showing the no side winning in almost three-quarters of the country's 43 constituencies.

Full official results were to be announced on Friday afternoon but the six constituencies announced so far - Waterford, Tipperary South, Tipperary North, Kerry North, Kerry South and Sligo-North Leitrim - all voted no with majorities ranging from just over 50 to almost 60 per cent.

The tallies showed a very strong showing for the no vote in rural and working class areas.

Middle class and urban areas were generally more supportive of the treaty, but not in the quantities normally expected in referendums on EU issues.

Ireland's Justice Minister Dermot Ahern admitted that the yes side looks unlikely to win the referendum.

Speaking on RTE television Ahern said the "very substantial no vote" is disappointing, but "the people have decided and we have to accept it."

Ahern said Ireland would be entering "uncharted waters" if the country rejects the treaty aimed at streamlining decision-making in the 27-member bloc.

Declan Ganley, the leader of the Libertas group which spearheaded the no campaign, said it was "a great and proud day to be Irish."

Businessman Ganley said the Irish people "had shown enormous courage and wisdom" in rejecting the treaty along with the Dutch and French who had rejected the EU constitution which the Lisbon Treaty was meant to replace.

He said the vote was "democracy in action" and the remaining countries should listen to the voice of the Irish people.

In one piece of good news for Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen, who has campaigned for a yes vote with all the major political parties, tallies showed his constituency of Laois-Offaly voting 57 per cent in favour of the treaty to 42 per cent against with 25 per cent of the ballot boxes open.

Ireland, the only EU member to approve the treaty by popular vote, went to the polls Thursday in a referendum. Official results were expected by Friday afternoon.

The no campaign argued that the treaty threatens Ireland's neutrality, influence in Europe and advantageous corporate tax regime.

The Lisbon Treaty is designed to streamline the running of the 27- member-bloc. To date, 18 national parliaments have given their backing to the treaty, which is meant to come into force at the start of 2009.

However, an Irish no would mean the treaty, a replacement for the failed EU constitution rejected by French and Dutch voters three years ago, could not go into effect. (dpa)