Catherine polls way ahead

Lead surges out to 19 points

- BY CIARA O'LOUGHLIN and DANNY DE VAAL

POLLS Ms Connolly on campaign trail

CATHERINE Connolly has surged to a 19 point lead in the polls, while Heather Humphrey's campaign has stagnated, it has emerged.

A Business Post/Red C poll published last night revealed the Independent Galway TD continues to outpace the former Fine Gael Minister.

Connolly is now on 44% - which is up from 36% from another poll earlier this month while support for Humphreys remains unchanged on 25%.

Former Dublin boss Jim Gavin, who dropped out of the race but remains on the ballot, is polling at 10% while the undecided stands at 11%.

The support for Connolly means in theory she could be elected on the first count if the vote goes the same way as the polling.