Catherine Connolly wins Ireland’s presidential election in landslide

Left-wing independent Catherine Connolly on Saturday won the race to be Ireland’s new president, comfortably beating her centrist opponent in a contest marred by record numbers of spoiled ballots.

Connolly, 68, secured more than 63 per cent of the votes, well ahead of Heather Humphreys of the Fine Gael party on 29.5 per cent, according to the official count.

But the seemingly comprehensive victory was marred by the number of spoiled votes and criticism over the lack of right-wing candidates, amid frustration over issues including immigration and crime.

Nearly 13 per cent of the 1.65 million ballots cast were “invalid”, a record in modern Irish elections.

“It will be an absolute privilege to serve you,” Connolly said in her acceptance speech at the count declaration. The lawyer is an outspoken critic of both the United States and European Union.

“For those who didn’t vote for me and those who spoilt their votes: let me tell you, I will be an inclusive president to listen to all of you.”