58% HIGGINS BACK IN ARAS WITH BIGGEST VICTORY
Exit polls say 77yr-old wins with 58% ... but Casey gets 1 in 5 votes
MICHAEL D Higgins is set to sail back into the Aras for another seven years as the official count gets under way today.
Exit polls last night confirmed what everybody already knew – the 77-yearold will stay in the plum Phoenix Park job for another term.
Shockingly, a late surge in support would appear to have rocketed Peter Casey into second place.
Mr Higgins looks to have taken around 58% of the count, with the Dragons’ Den businessman predicted to finish up on 21%.
Liadh Ni Riada is on 8%, Sean Gallagher on 7% and Joan Freeman on 6% with Gavin Duffy languishing behind on 2%.
However, the landslide win is still lower than was initially forecast after Higgins’ campaign was rocked by revelations over his lavish spending.
But this didn’t seem to bother voters. The Limerick man became the ninth President of Ireland when he was elected in 2011 and it looks like we may have to wait another seven years before we have our tenth.
Exit polls have proved remarkably accurate in
Ireland in past years. RTE and the Irish Times each conducted their own poll but both are pointing towards the same result – a landslide for Michael D.
Despite the cold weather there was an average flow of people to electoral stations throughout the day.
They faced a choice between Peter Casey, Sean Gallagher, MEP Liadh Ni Riada, Michael D Higgins, Senator Joan Freeman and Gavin Duffy.
At Scoil Mhuire in Lucan, Co Dublin, many felt current President Michael D Higgins should run for a second term while others thought “new blood” was required. Denis Brazil, from the village, said Mr Higgins had served the country well but someone new was needed.
The 61-year-old added: “I think there is need for a change. Seven years, he [Higgins] could die in office.
“I wasn’t very fond of Sean Gallagher, I thought he was very patronising at times and cocky. I ruled him out straight away.
“Especially after watching him on the TV, he gave me that impression.
“Joan Freeman has great aspirations but nothing clear cut. I don’t think the presidency is something you can say, ‘I’m going to do this and that’.
“The person who gets it just needs to know the constitution inside and out. Peter Casey got himself into a bit of trouble but he was speaking the truth, we have a housing crisis.
“I don’t think he was going on the fact they were Travellers. It was blown out of proportion.
“A lot of people think Michael D Higgins will get it but it could be a dark horse that wins. I just hope Sean Gallagher doesn’t get in.”
Matt Edgeworth, 69, originally from Kildare but now living in Lucan, revealed the incumbent had his vote.
He said: “I voted for Michael D Higgins. Mr Higgins has a great sense of Irishness about him.
“He can give a great speech and
I voted for
Higgins ..he has a great sense of Irishness about him
MATT EDGEWORTH
CO DUBLIN YESTERDAY
represent the Irish abroad.” The President has been solid throughout the campaign, with the only concern being the controversy over expenses.
One example was exposed in the Irish Mirror this week when his €36,000 Learjet bill for flights taken this year was uncovered.
Before that there were reports of a night spent in a Swiss hotel that quotes the price of a room at €3,000 and the inclusion of a florist in an entourage that travelled to Australia with him last year.
There also remain questions over a €317,000 discretionary fund. Mr Higgins said it went towards hospitality but refused to give a further breakdown until after the election.
Having entered the race late, he kept himself apart throughout the campaign, refusing to participate in a number of broadcast debates.
Last night, it appeared his low-key strategy had paid off.
■ EXIT polls last night suggested the referendum on removing the blasphemy clause from the constitution would be passed by 71%, with 26% voting against and 2% abstaining.