President Michael D Higgins and Sabina cast Galway bye-election vote
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President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina Higgins cast their ballots today at the Westside Community Centre polling station in the Galway West bye-election, as turnout in the area climbed steadily into the evening.
It was a case of our former President Michael D Higgins, voting for a seat vacated by our current President, Catherine Connolly, in what is a historic occasion for Galway West.
By 8pm, turnout in Westside had reached approximately 35%, with 1,345 ballots cast from an electorate of 3,823.
President Higgins was photographed at Westside Community Centre casting his vote for the bye-election with his wife Sabina by his side.
The bye-election carries added historical significance as Galway West has now produced two Presidents of Ireland in succession.
Both President Higgins and President Connolly previously served as Mayors of Galway City before going on to represent Galway West nationally and ultimately becoming Heads of State.
President Higgins served as Mayor of Galway on two occasions between 1981-1982 and 1990-1991, while President Connolly served as Mayor from 2004 to 2005.
President Connolly became the first sitting female TD to successfully contest a Presidential election and the first sitting TD to win the presidency since Erskine Childers in 1973.
Polling stations across Galway West remain open until 10pm tonight as voters choose Connolly’s successor in Dáil Éireann.