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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.
The Irish opposition leader Micheál Martin of Fianna Fail has already sent his congratulations to Mr Higgins. 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.