MICHAEL D.HIGGINS ON COURSE TO WIN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Date Published: 28-Oct-2011

In Galway West, Michael D.Higgins is storming ahead of the pack with a 43% lead on his nearest rival Sean Gallagher.

This lunchtime the tallies show-

Michael D. Higgins 60%, Sean Gallagher 16%, Martin McGuinness 10%, Gay Mitchell 5%, David Norris 3.8%, Dana Rosemary Scallon 3.4%, Mary Davis 1.6%.

In the Galway East count centre, Higgins is polling four to one in Tuam against Gallagher.

Tallies there are

Michael D. Higgins 47%, Sean Gallagher 27%, Martin McGuinness 11%, Gay Mitchell 5%, David Norris 3.8%, Dana Rosemary Scallon 3% 

Nationally:

Labour's Michael D Higgins is on course to be the ninth President of Ireland according to tallies so far.

Wiith a third of Cork City boxes tallied, Michael D Higgins is on around 44% of the vote, and in Limerick City Michael D Higgins may have secured half of all votes.

There are exceptions - in his native Cavan, Seán Gallagher has about half the votes, compared to just 20% for Michael D Higgins.

But in Seán Gallagher's now home county of Louth, it appears Michael D Higgins will outpoll him with about 35% of teh vote.

Martin McGuinness looks set to top the poll in Donegal North East, which is beside his native Derry.

First Count results from around the country are expected throughout the afternoon, with a full national first count declaration from here later this evening, around teatime.

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