Catherine Connolly elected as president of Ireland

Catherine Connolly was elected president of Ireland after a landslide victory.

He became the 10th president of the Republic of Ireland by defeating Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys, who had already bowed to her opponent.

The result, long obvious from the first calculations, was officially announced in Dublin Castle.

Connolly, an independent who is supported by major left-wing parties, promised in his acceptance speech to be “an inclusive president for all”.

The 68-year-old man from Galway has been a TD (member of the Irish parliament) since 2016.

He will become the country’s 10th president, taking over from Michael D Higgins, who served a maximum of two terms.

Connolly received 914,143 first preference votes (63%), the largest amount in Irish presidential election history.

He gave his acceptance speech first in Irish and then in English.

“I will be a president who listens, thinks and speaks when necessary,” he said.

“I will be a voice for peace, a voice that builds on our policy of neutrality, a voice that speaks to the existential threat posed by climate change, and a voice that recognizes the tremendous work being done across the country.”

Dublin correspondent Gabija Gataveckaite said Connolly was the anti-establishment candidate who took over Humphreys, the government’s choice.

He said in recent weeks Connolly had insisted his campaign was a “movement” and that he now had a clear mandate from the public.

Speaking after Connolly, Humphreys thanked everyone who voted for him, his campaign team and Fine Gael for the nomination.

“I know Catherine will be president of all of us. Catherine will be my president and I want to wish her well, this is her night,” he said.

The president of Ireland is the country’s head of state. They represent the country abroad, are at the forefront of important national events, and are responsible for ensuring compliance with the constitution, the set of rules governing government and politics.

Although the president’s powers are limited, the office holder’s influence can be profound.

Connolly will take up his post on November 11, with Higgins leaving the post the day before.

Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin said Connolly had been given an “extraordinary honour”.

“The people spoke loudly and gave Catherine a tremendous majority and a very clear mandate,” he said.

Tánaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Simon Harris said: “The great thing about this country is that we live with an enduring democracy.

“We have an election before us, we go hammer and tongs, and then we proudly rally behind whoever wins the election.”

He has previously acknowledged there was a high rate of spoiled ballots, saying he had seen “people going to a fair amount of effort to spoil ballots.”

Sinn Féin, the main opposition party in the Irish parliament, backed Connolly after deciding not to nominate its own candidate.

The party’s president, Mary Lou McDonald, called the result a “stunning victory” and said Connolly needed his party’s support in his presidential election campaign.

Speaking at Dublin Castle on Saturday, Ms McDonald said: “This is a victory for the united opposition over the tired, worn-out politics of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.

“Sinn Féin, as the largest political party, was of course an important element of the campaign.

“And Catherine stated quite accurately that she was an independent candidate, a woman with a very independent mind.”

Connolly has sought to establish himself as the candidate for a united Ireland and has said he would like to see a border poll on the island of Ireland during his seven-year presidency.

In Northern Ireland, First Minister Michelle O’Neill said the victory marked “an era of hope”.

“This election showed what can be achieved when parties committed to change and progress work together towards a common goal,” he said.

“This is the clear path to a better, united future.”