Ireland votes for next president as polls predict landslide for Catherine Connolly

Leftwing independent widely expected to succeed Michael D Higgins, but fears grow over low turnout and spoilt ballots

Irish voters are going to the polls to elect a new president, with final opinion polls predicting a landslide for Catherine Connolly, an outspoken leftwing independent who has captured the imagination of many younger people.

An opinion poll on Thursday gave Connolly 40% versus 25% for her opponent, Heather Humphreys, a former cabinet minister. When the figures were adjusted for those who are undecided or plan to spoil their vote, Connolly had 55% and Humphreys 35%.