Connolly ‘absolutely delighted’published at 11:02 BST
Image source, PA MediaImage caption,
Catherine Connolly is running as an independent candidate
Catherine Connolly has been speaking from the count centre in her home county of Galway.
She said she was “absolutely delighted” with the early tallies, according to RTÉ, and thanked everybody, including those who did not vote for her.
Connolly is an independent who is backed by the major left-wing parties – Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, and the Greens.
She has represented Galway West in the lower house of the Irish Parliament, Dáil Éireann, since 2016.
Connolly has also worked as a barrister and clinical psychologist.
She served as deputy speaker of the Dáil for four years.
