Gabija GataveckaiteBBC NI Dublin correspondent , RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin
Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys congratulates Catherine Connolly on “becoming the next president of Ireland”
Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys has congratulated Catherine Connolly on “becoming the next President of Ireland”.
Counting is continuing but tallies around the country indicate a landslide victory for Connolly in the race to be the next president.
Voters in the Republic of Ireland are electing the 10th Irish president, who will replace current head of state Michael D Higgins.
“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,” Humphreys said.
PA Media
Catherine Connolly (left) and Heather Humphreys are the two candidates in the election
There are two contenders to become the next president, but voters had a choice of three candidates – Catherine Connolly, Heather Humphreys and Jim Gavin, whose withdrawal from the race came too late to have his name removed from the ballot paper.
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.
Speaking from the count centre in her home county of Galway, Connolly said she was “absolutely delighted” with the early tallies.
The first official count of the day came from Cork South-Central where Connolly received 64.7% of the first preference votes.
Heather Humphreys received 28.2% and Jim Gavin got 7.1% of the valid poll.
At the Cavan-Monaghan count centre, Humphreys acknowledged the strong support she has received, according to tallies, in her home constituency.
She also spoke about the downsides of the election campaign, including the “awful sectarian abuse” her family had received.
Humphreys was raised as a Presbyterian and her father was a member of the Orange Order – a Protestant organisation which opposes a united Ireland.
“As a country I thought we’d moved on,” Humphreys said. “If we’re ever to have a united Ireland we have to respect all traditions.”
Speaking about the high level of spoiled votes in the election, Humphreys said it was “unfortunate”.
Humphreys said her intention was now to spend time with her family, including her seven-week-old grandson.
“I have absolutely not one regret,” she added.
Congratulations and concerns about spoiled votes
Ballot boxes opened at 09.00 local time on Saturday and the official result is due to be announced at Dublin Castle later.
Tallies are also showing a lot of spoiled votes, with a significant number of people opting not to vote for any of the three candidates on the ballot.
Fine Gael deputy leader, Helen McEntee, congratulated Connolly and said she looked forward to working with her, but was proud to support Humphreys.
“The party got behind her and as with any election, afterwards when the dust settles and we see the final result we’ll reflect on the election and where we go from here,” she said.
Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister), Simon Harris said Connolly would be president for “all this country and for all of us”.
He also thanked Humphreys for her campaign and said he was proud of her.
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill hailed Connolly as a president who will be a “passionate voice for every community across Ireland”.
“This election has shown what can be achieved when parties committed to change and progress work together in common purpose,” the Sinn Féin deputy leader added.
“That is the clear pathway to a better, united future.”
Reuters
A large number of spoiled votes have been spotted at count centres across Ireland
Irish Labour party leader Ivana Bacik also congratulated Connolly and said parties uniting to back Connolly was an example of how they can work together in a left-wing government.
“This shows that an alternative vision is possible, that ambition I expressed in the lead up to last year’s general election for a centre-led left government, that is now possible,” she told BBC News NI.
Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns sent congratulations to Connolly on her “resounding election victory”, which she described as “a seismic moment in our history”.
“From day one, her message of inclusion, equality and social justice resonated with voters in every corner of Ireland,” she said.
Sinn Féin TD (MP) Eoin Ó Broin said the election was a “remarkable” victory for Connolly and her campaign but said those who spoiled their vote should not be dismissed.
“People who weren’t happy with the government on a whole range of issues, who wanted a different type of politics, a different type of president than being offered by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, they have come out in huge numbers.”
Social Democratic and Labour Party leader Claire Hanna said she looked forward to “meeting President Connolly in the weeks ahead and working with her throughout her term to build a better future for everyone on this island”.
The votes are being counted in each of the 43 constituencies
Early unofficial indications have suggested the turnout could potentially struggle to reach the record low of just under 40% recorded in the last presidential election in 2018.
Connolly has been a TD (member of parliament) since 2016 and previously worked as a psychologist and barrister. She is from Galway.
Humphreys was a TD from 2011 to 2024 and served in a number of senior cabinet ministerial positions, including social protection and justice.
Some 3.6m people were eligible to vote in the election.
