Connolly set for landslide in Ireland's presidential vote

Catherine Connolly last night looked set to become the next president of Ireland by a significant margin, after being congratulated by rival Heather Humphreys.

- GRAINNE NI AODHA

Ms Connolly said earlier yesterday that she was “absolutely delighted” with tallies indicating she is the clear victor to take the largely ceremonial role.

The electorate had the choice between left-wing independent Ms Connolly, former cabinet minister Ms Humphreys and ex-Dublin football manager Jim Gavin, until he withdrew from campaigning three weeks ago.

The winner of the election will replace Michael D Higgins, a popular poet and former arts minister who has served the maximum two terms in office.

From early yesterday, Ms Connolly was ahead in count centres nationwide. There also appeared to be a significant number of spoiled votes.

Speaking to reporters at the Cavan-Monaghan count centre, Ms Humphreys said: “Catherine will be a president for all of us and she will be my president, and I really would like to wish her all the very, very best. I have absolutely not one regret.”

Speaking to reporters in Galway earlier yesterday, Ms Connolly said: “I am absolutely delighted with the result and I want to thank all my supporters. Actually, I want to thank everybody — even those who did not vote for me. I understand their concerns in relation to who will represent them best.” As ballot boxes opened and votes were sorted ahead of the official count, activists and volunteers observed the process to form unofficial tallies. There were a significant number of spoiled votes with anti-government messages on them, including “no democracy”, “EU puppets” and “no from me”.

Local Sinn Fein TD Eoin O Broin said the scale of the vote for Ms Connolly was “very, very significant”.