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Irish presidential election: Michael D Higgins set to win | Irish presidential election: Michael D Higgins set to win |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Labour Party candidate Michael D Higgins is set to become the ninth Irish president. | Labour Party candidate Michael D Higgins is set to become the ninth Irish president. |
Independent candidate and one-time opinion poll-topper Sean Gallagher has admitted defeat to Mr Higgins. | Independent candidate and one-time opinion poll-topper Sean Gallagher has admitted defeat to Mr Higgins. |
Mr Gallagher, a former member and fund-raiser for the Fianna Fail party, has called the veteran politician to congratulate him on his success. | Mr Gallagher, a former member and fund-raiser for the Fianna Fail party, has called the veteran politician to congratulate him on his success. |
It is thought Mr Higgins has received more than 40% of first preference votes and is almost certain of victory. | It is thought Mr Higgins has received more than 40% of first preference votes and is almost certain of victory. |
In a statement Mr Gallagher said: "In the last hour I've called Michael D Higgins to congratulate him on his performance and his success in this election. | In a statement Mr Gallagher said: "In the last hour I've called Michael D Higgins to congratulate him on his performance and his success in this election. |
"He will have my full support as president and I sincerely thank him for a positive campaign. | "He will have my full support as president and I sincerely thank him for a positive campaign. |
"His slogan stated that he would be a president to be proud of and I believe he will be that president." | "His slogan stated that he would be a president to be proud of and I believe he will be that president." |
Turnout is reported to be about 50%, down from around 70% in the general election in February. | Turnout is reported to be about 50%, down from around 70% in the general election in February. |
Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness seems set to come third, while the former Eurovision song contest winner, Dana, looks like finishing last. | Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness seems set to come third, while the former Eurovision song contest winner, Dana, looks like finishing last. |
Mr McGuinness phoned Mr Higgins to offer his congratulations. | |
"He will make a fine president and I wish him well for his seven years in the aras," he said. | |
"I am delighted with the strong vote I have received. My message of positive leadership, patriotism and commitment clearly was resonating with tens of thousands of ordinary Irish people." | |
There are seven candidates in the race to succeed Mary McAleese, who has been president since 1997. | There are seven candidates in the race to succeed Mary McAleese, who has been president since 1997. |
The president, who serves as a ceremonial head of state, is elected for a seven-year term and can be re-elected only once. | The president, who serves as a ceremonial head of state, is elected for a seven-year term and can be re-elected only once. |
After a controversial campaign, with the polls swinging one way and then the other, the climax looks like it will be more straightforward than most commentators had predicted. | After a controversial campaign, with the polls swinging one way and then the other, the climax looks like it will be more straightforward than most commentators had predicted. |
Faced with a record seven candidates, the tallies suggest that the electorate has plumped decisively for Labour's Michael D Higgins. | Faced with a record seven candidates, the tallies suggest that the electorate has plumped decisively for Labour's Michael D Higgins. |
A poet and a scholar, the 71-year-old former government minister ran a solid campaign during which he was always among the bookies' favourites. | A poet and a scholar, the 71-year-old former government minister ran a solid campaign during which he was always among the bookies' favourites. |
The result will be announced at Dublin Castle, the venue for the historic state banquet for the Queen in May. | The result will be announced at Dublin Castle, the venue for the historic state banquet for the Queen in May. |
It now looks just a matter of hours before Mr Higgins' coronation. | It now looks just a matter of hours before Mr Higgins' coronation. |
Candidates | Candidates |
The seven candidates are Fine Gael's Gay Mitchell, Michael D Higgins of the Labour Party, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness as well as independents Sean Gallagher, Dana Rosemary Scallon, Mary Davis and David Norris. | The seven candidates are Fine Gael's Gay Mitchell, Michael D Higgins of the Labour Party, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness as well as independents Sean Gallagher, Dana Rosemary Scallon, Mary Davis and David Norris. |
Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister, Eamon Gilmore, congratulated his party colleague on his victory. | |
Mr Gilmore admitted it had looked like Mr Gallagher was poised for victory, until a televised debate on RTE earlier this week. | |
He was forced to deny claims by Martin McGuinness that he had raised money for the Fianna Fail party when it was in government in 2008. | |
"That certainly made a big impact, but I think it was Sean Gallagher's response to the questions he was asked," added Mr Gilmore. | |
"I think there was a cumulative effect, which saw Sean Gallagher's vote dropping and going to Michael D Higgins." | |
The Irish opposition leader Micheal Martin of Fianna Fail also sent his congratulations to Mr Higgins. | |
"I have known Michael D Higgins for many years and he will make an excellent president and ambassador for Ireland," he said. | "I have known Michael D Higgins for many years and he will make an excellent president and ambassador for Ireland," he said. |
Fianna Fail chose not to enter a candidate following the party's heavy defeat in the general election. | Fianna Fail chose not to enter a candidate following the party's heavy defeat in the general election. |
Counting began at 09:00 BST on Friday. | Counting began at 09:00 BST on Friday. |
The first national count will be announced once results from all 43 constituencies are in, which is expected to be early on Friday evening. | The first national count will be announced once results from all 43 constituencies are in, which is expected to be early on Friday evening. |
The presidential returning officer will have to decide whether to continue into the early hours to get a final result or to adjourn until Saturday morning. | The presidential returning officer will have to decide whether to continue into the early hours to get a final result or to adjourn until Saturday morning. |
The campaign for the presidency has been beset by controversy with several of the candidates coming under pressure over their past careers. | The campaign for the presidency has been beset by controversy with several of the candidates coming under pressure over their past careers. |
The election arrives as the country continues its bid to recover from the worst recession in living memory. | The election arrives as the country continues its bid to recover from the worst recession in living memory. |