Overview
- Unofficial station tallies indicate a commanding lead for the left-wing independent over Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys, with formal counts expected later in the day.
- Multiple counties reported turnout below 40 percent, and early indications point to a record share of invalid votes used to register discontent with the limited choice.
- Conservative voices encouraged ballot spoiling in response to the absence of a right-of-centre option and to channel frustrations over issues such as immigration and crime.
- The ballot featured only two active candidates after Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin withdrew too late to be removed, a constraint that intensified criticism of nomination rules.
- Connolly’s support has been buoyed by younger voters through a savvy social-media push and popular podcast appearances, with backing from left opposition parties including Sinn Féin.