The Race for the Áras (36 page)

So concluded the ninth President of the Republic of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins.

Michael D. Higgins was declared President-elect after reaching the quota on the fourth and final count. He secured more than one million votes. The total poll was 1,771,762; the quota was 885,882. The turn-out was 56 per cent.

The count took longer than expected and resumed at 9 a.m. following an adjournment after the second count at 1:30 a.m.

First count

Higgins, Michael D.: 701,101 (39.6 per cent)

Gallagher, Seán: 504,964 (28.5 per cent)

McGuinness, Martin: 243,030 (13.7 per cent)

Mitchell, Gay: 113,321 (6.4 per cent)

Norris, David: 109,469 (6.2 per cent)

Scallon, Dana Rosemary: 51,220 (2.9 per cent)

Davis, Mary: 48,657 (2.7 per cent)

Second count

Davis and Scallon were eliminated after the first count was announced, and their transfers were subsequently distributed.

Higgins, Michael D.: + 29,379 (730,480)

Gallagher, Seán: + 24,437 (529,401)

McGuinness, Martin: + 9,581 (252,611)

Mitchell, Gay: + 14,036 (127,357)

Norris, David: + 7,057 (116,526)

Third count

No-one reached the quota following the second count. The count was adjourned following the elimination of Norris.

Higgins, Michael D.: + 62,648 (793,128)

Gallagher, Seán: + 18,972 (548,373)

McGuinness, Martin: + 12,585 (265,196)

Mitchell, Gay: + 8,952 (136,309)

Fourth count

Mitchell and McGuinness were eliminated at the end of the third count. They were excluded together, as the total of their votes was lower than that of the next-highest candidate, Gallagher.

Higgins, Michael D.: + 213,976 (1,007,104)

Gallagher, Seán: + 79,741 (628,114)

 

19 June 2011 . The Tánaiste and leader of the Labour Party, Eamon Gilmore, at the Mansion House, Dublin, with nominees Fergus Finlay, Kathleen O'Meara and Michael D. Higgins at the election of Higgins as the party's candidate for the Presidency. (©
Collins
)

9 July 2011. The presidential candidates Gay Mitchell
MEP
, Mairead McGuinness
MEP
and Pat Cox during the Fine Gael convention in the Regency Hotel, Dublin, to select the party's presidential candidate. (©
Collins
)

2 August 2011. Senator David Norris outside his home in Dublin after he announced that he was pulling out of the race amid revelations that he had sought leniency for his ex-partner, who had been convicted of statutory rape. (©
Julien Behal/
PA
Wire
)

10 August 2011. The
RTE
broadcaster Gay Byrne answering questions regarding his possible candidacy for the presidential election as his wife, Kathleen Watkins, listens at
Grease: The Musical
at the Grand Canal Theatre, Dublin. (©
Photocall Ireland
)

31 August 2011. Senator Darragh O'Brien, Micheál Martin (leader of Fianna Fáil), Éamon Ó Cuív
TD
and Seán Ó Fearghail
TD
outside the Dáil explaining why Fianna Fáil decided not to put forward a candidate in the presidential election. (©
Photocall Ireland
)

3 September 2011. Volunteers for Mary Davis's presidential campaign hand out free ponchos on the Saturday morning of the Electric Picnic music and arts festival. (©
Photocall Ireland
)

18 September 2011. Michael D. Higgins with Dublin fans at the all-Ireland football final between Dublin and Kerry at Croke Park. (©
Collins
)

19 September 2011. Dana holds a copy of the Constitution of Ireland after she announced her intention to seek a nomination for the Presidency at a press conference at the Fitzwilliam Hotel, Dublin. (©
Niall Carson/
PA
Wire
)

27 September 2011. David Norris shakes hands with his fellow-candidate Michael D. Higgins as he celebrates at City Hall, Dublin, after receiving the backing of Dublin City Council, giving him the fourth nomination needed to enter the race. (©
Niall Carson/
PA
Wire
)

11 October 2011. The businessman and independent presidential candidate Seán Gallagher at the Today
FM
presidential debate in the Sugar Club, Dublin. (©
Photocall Ireland
)