Ireland has elected a new president after Catherine Connolly, a left-wing independent TD, claimed a commanding victory on Saturday evening, securing 63 per cent of first-preference votes to become the country’s tenth head of state.
The 68-year-old former barrister and clinical psychologist defeated Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys by a substantial margin, marking a significant shift in Irish politics as the largely ceremonial but constitutionally important role passes from Michael D Higgins, who has served the maximum two seven-year terms since 2011.
Ms Connolly garnered 914,143 first-preference votes, representing a 63 per cent share of valid ballots, whilst Ms Humphreys secured 424,987 votes or 29 per cent. The result was declared at Dublin Castle on Saturday evening, where the president-elect received congratulations from Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris.
The election was marked by an unprecedented level of voter disengagement. A record 213,738 ballots were spoiled, representing nearly 13 per cent of all votes cast, a tenfold increase from the 1.2 per cent spoiled in the 2018 presidential election. Electoral officials described the figure as requiring deeper reflection on public sentiment.
Ms Humphreys conceded defeat on Saturday afternoon, stating that Ms Connolly would be “a president for all of us, and she will be my president, and I really would like to wish her all the very, very best”.
The race became a two-horse contest three weeks before polling day when Fianna Fáil candidate Jim Gavin withdrew from the campaign. The former Dublin Gaelic football manager, who led the team to five successive All-Ireland Championships, quit after reports emerged that he had failed to repay €3,300 (£2,870) in rent mistakenly overpaid by a former tenant 16 years ago. Despite his withdrawal, Mr Gavin’s name remained on the ballot paper, and he received 103,568 votes.
Controversial Comments on Middle East
Ms Connolly’s campaign attracted scrutiny over her outspoken views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland in September, she said she “utterly condemned” Hamas and the October 7 attacks but described Israel as behaving like a “terrorist state” and said both sides had committed war crimes.
The TD for Galway West stated that Hamas, elected in Palestinian legislative elections in 2006, were “part of the fabric of the Palestinian people” and “part of the civil society of Palestine“, adding that international observers rely on them for death toll figures.
Her remarks prompted criticism from government ministers. Tánaiste Simon Harris declared that Hamas is a “despicable, illegal terrorist organisation that has brought nothing but pain to the people of Israel and the people of Palestine”, whilst Taoiseach Micheál Martin insisted Hamas could not be part of Gaza’s future governance.
Ms Connolly defended her position by criticising British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s assertion that Hamas should play no role in a future Palestinian government. She said she comes from “Ireland, a history of colonisation, and I would be very wary of telling a sovereign people how to run their country”, maintaining that Palestinians must decide their own future through democratic means.
Political Profile and Support Base
Ms Connolly has served as an independent TD for Galway West since 2016, having previously been a Labour Party member for 17 years. The former clinical psychologist and barrister identifies as a pacifist and socialist, though she has clarified she never supported the Provisional IRA during the Troubles.
Her presidential campaign received backing from multiple left-leaning parties. Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, the Labour Party, People Before Profit, and the Green Party all supported her candidacy, marking an unusual coalition across the opposition spectrum.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald described the victory as “stunning”, saying it represented “a victory for optimism and hope over cynicism and negativity” and a defeat for “the jaded worn-out politics of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
Prime Minister Micheál Martin congratulated Ms Connolly on her “very comprehensive election victory”, adding that Ireland would continue to “play a significant role on the global stage” as the country prepares to host the EU presidency in the second half of 2026.
Stance on Irish Unity and European Union
The new president has been vocal about Irish reunification. Ms Connolly has called for a border poll on Northern Ireland’s separation from the Republic, stating that the Good Friday Agreement makes clear that “the people alone will decide our future”.
She has also been a fierce critic of the European Union. Ms Connolly opposed the ratification of the Treaty of Nice in 2002 and the Treaty of Lisbon in both referendums, and has expressed concerns about NATO expansion and increased military spending across Europe.
Record Spoiled Votes Spark Concern
The historic level of spoiled ballots dominated discussion alongside the election result. Dublin North West recorded the highest percentage at 20.5 per cent, followed by Dublin Mid West at 20.2 per cent.
Many spoiled ballots contained messages including “not my president”, references to Maria Steen (who failed to secure enough nominations to run), and comments about recent controversies including an alleged assault on a 10-year-old girl by an asylum seeker.
An Coimisiún Toghcháin, the independent electoral commission, acknowledged that the number of spoiled votes is “significantly higher than normal” and said there would “clearly be a need for deeper and further reflection” on the phenomenon.
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, who revealed he spoiled his own vote, described the situation as potentially a “political earthquake” if spoiled votes exceeded Ms Humphreys’ tally. He warned that a section of Irish society feels it has no voice within the system, which could lead to dangerous polarisation.
Succeeding Michael D Higgins
Ms Connolly will succeed Michael D Higgins, the poet, sociologist and former Labour minister who has served as Ireland’s ninth president since 2011. The 84-year-old was first elected in 2011 and re-elected in 2018, attaining the largest personal mandate in the Republic’s history with 822,566 first-preference votes.
During his tenure, President Higgins transformed the largely ceremonial role into a more politically engaged position, speaking out on issues including Ireland’s housing crisis, international affairs, and social justice.
The Irish presidency involves hosting heads of state at Áras an Uachtaráin in Phoenix Park, representing Ireland abroad, and ensuring legislation complies with the Constitution. The president does not have power to shape laws or policies directly, but holds specific constitutional powers including the ability to refer bills to the Supreme Court.
Ms Connolly will be inaugurated in the coming weeks, becoming Ireland’s third female president after Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese. She has indicated she would likely serve only one seven-year term rather than seeking re-election.
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