Catherine Connolly wins decisively in Louth count

Catherine Connolly swept to a decisive victory in the Louth constituency in the presidential election, taking more than two-thirds of the valid first preference votes.

Connolly, an Independent candidate, received 28,006 votes (68.65%), far outpacing her rival, Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys, who secured 10,711 votes (26.26%). Former Dublin football manager Jim Gavin finished third with 2,078 votes (5.09%).
The result was declared on the first count.

Out of a total electorate of 103,143, just 48,577 people cast their ballots, marking a turnout of 47.1%.

There were 7,782 invalid or spoiled ballots, leaving a valid poll of 40,795 in line with the national trend that saw a tenfold increase in spoilt votes (213,738) in the last presidential election.
Connolly’s commanding performance in Louth mirrors strong results for her nationally, as she gained the presidency with a comfortable margin.

Addressing the assembled crowd after being declared the winner, Ms Connolly said: “I will be a President who listens and reflects and who speaks when it’s necessary.

“I will be a voice for peace, a voice that builds on our policy of neutrality, a voice that articulates the existential threat posed by climate change, and a voice that recognises the tremendous work being done the length and breadth of the country.

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“Our whole mantra during this campaign was that we can shape a new republic together, and we can use our voices for those who haven’t the ability, or for whom the circumstances don’t allow it.

“But my message is, use your voice in every way you can, because our public and democracy needs constructive questioning and, together, we can shape a new republic that values everybody, that values and champions diversity and that takes confidence in our own identity, our Irish language, our English language, and new people who have come to our country.”