Connolly leads Humphreys in latest poll

Catherine Connolly holds a significant poll lead over presidential rival Heather Humphreys, the latest figures show.

Ms Connolly, a left-wing independent TD backed by opposition parties including Sinn Fein, is on 38%, ahead of Fine Gael’s Ms Humphreys on 20%.

The Irish Times/Ipsos B&A poll says support for Fianna Fail candidate Jim Gavin, who pulled out of the contest, is at 5%.

Some 12% of voters said they would not vote, 6% said they would spoil their ballot and the number of undecideds was at 18%.

The poll involved 1,200 face-to-face in-home interviews with adults between October 12-14, throughout all constituencies. The accuracy is estimated at plus or minus 2.8%

When those voters are excluded, Ms Connolly is on 60%, Ms Humphreys is on 32%, and Mr Gavin is on 8% – with the Fianna Fail candidate’s vote projected to split fairly evenly if they were to be redistributed to the remaining hopefuls.

Mr Gavin withdrew from the race on October 5 after being dogged by a controversy over owing a former tenant 3,300 euro. He has since paid the money back.

Despite his declaration to drop out, electoral rules mean that Mr Gavin’s name will still appear on the ballot paper and his votes will be counted as normal.

Ms Connolly’s campaign itinerary for Thursday includes events across Dublin.

She has announced that, if elected, she will establish a presidential initiative on disabled citizens and care.

This would involve a forum of people with lived experience to guide the initiative, public conversations across Ireland on the issue, annual reporting on care in the country, and an award scheme.

Ms Humphreys’ campaign was destined for Co Meath.

The former social protection minister recently proposed a presidential initiative which would see the Defence Forces being involved in the delivery of national flags to every school.

“As a Presbyterian, and a proud Irish republican, I feel strongly that our flag symbolises the spirit of inclusion, and the aspiration for unity between people of different traditions on this island,” she said.