Independent candidate Catherine Connolly wins Irish presidential election

Independent candidate Catherine Connolly has become Ireland's next president after her rival conceded.

The 68-year-old former barrister from Galway, secured 63% of first preferences, in an election that was marked by a significant number of spoiled votes. Speaking at Dublin Castle after officially being declared the winner, Ms Connolly pledged to be "an inclusive president for all".

She said: "I will be a president who listens and reflects and who speaks when it's necessary. "I will be a voice for peace, a voice that builds on our policy of neutrality, a voice that articulates the existential threat posed by climate change, and a voice that recognises the tremendous work being done the length and breadth of the country.

"But my message is, use your voice in every way you can, because our public and democracy needs constructive questioning and, together, we can shape a new republic that values everybody, that values and champions diversity and that takes confidence in our own identity, our Irish language, our English language, and new people who have come to our country." 'A president for all of us' Congratulations from across the political spectrum poured in for Ms Connolly, including her only opponent in the race, Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys. She told reporters at the Cavan-Monaghan count centre: "Catherine will 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.

"I have absolutely not one regret." Also speaking at Dublin Castle, Ireland's premier Micheal Martin said he was looking forward to working with Ms Connolly. "What an outstanding honour that has been bestowed upon her by the people of Ireland," he said.

"The people are sovereign in our democracy, we have one of the oldest democracies in the world, and it's something we cherish very much indeed. "And the people have spoken resoundingly today.

They've given Catherine a tremendous majority and a very clear mandate." Ireland's deputy premier, Simon Harris, who leads the Fine Gael party, said in a statement that Ms Connolly will be a president "for all this country and for all of us". The final result was officially announced by presidential returning officer Barry Ryan after counting in all 43 constituencies had completed.

From early on Saturday, Ms Connolly was ahead in count centres nationwide. Ms Connolly previously said she was "absolutely delighted" with the tallies showing she was on the path to replacing Michael D Higgins, a popular poet and former arts minister who has served the maximum two terms in office.

The role - which has been held by Mr Higgins for the last 14 years - is largely ceremonial, but one with real national significance. Ms Connolly is a former clinical psychologist and barrister who served as deputy speaker of Ireland's lower house after being first elected in 2016.

Read more:Who is Catherine Connolly?Analysis: A landslide victory in a lacklustre presidential election 'Seismic moment in our history' Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns added Ms Connolly's win represented a "seismic moment in our history". The Social Democrats were one of a number of parties backing Independent Ms Connolly in the election.

She said: "The momentum behind Catherine's presidential bid was incredible, growing from a small campaign run by dedicated volunteers to the grassroots movement it became. "From day one, her message of inclusion, equality and social justice resonated with voters in every corner of Ireland.

"Catherine had a clear vision for the presidency and was determined to speak out on issues that mattered to people - housing, cost of living, disability services, climate action, the Irish language and neutrality. "Catherine's considered, focused and compassionate approach to this campaign was hugely impressive.".