Michael D Higgns elected. Pic: Labour Party
THE election of Michael D Higgins as the ninth President of Ireland has been hailed by his supporters in West Cork as an “outstanding achievement”.
The President Elect received more than one million votes after the fourth and final count was completed, beating his nearest rival, independent candidate Sean Gallagher by more than 370,000 votes.
The Cork South West constituency was one of only four across the country that favoured Mr Gallagher on first preferences.
Despite narrowly losing out, local Labour TD Michael McCarthy said the party were delighted that Mr Higgins received more than 12,000 first preferences in West Cork.
