The magical ingredient required to become the president of Ireland is as mysterious as what Coca-Cola puts into its fizzy drink, but legions of voters think Catherine Connolly has it. The leftwing, independent TD (member of parliament) with the quiet composure and austere appearance of a contemplative nun has won an overwhelming victory to succeed the outgoing national treasure, 84-year-old poet Michael D Higgins. Her choice as the republic’s 10th head of state in a contest so bizarre it might have been scripted by Basil Fawlty has left the two government parties reeling.
Fianna Fáil’s candidate, Jim Gavin, hand-picked by the taoiseach, Micheál Martin, for his accomplishments in sport and the cultural bastion of the Gaelic Athletic Association, withdrew after it emerged he had failed since 2009 to refund €3,300 owed to a former tenant. Gavin’s name remained on the ballot paper as a ghost candidate. How Martin must rue the day Live Aid founder Bob Geldof phoned him last summer seeking the party’s nomination and he demurred because he already had Gavin in mind.
