Connolly Surges to 38% Support in Latest Poll Ahead of Vote

UPDATE: Catherine Connolly has surged to a commanding 38% support level in the latest Irish Times/Ipsos B&A opinion poll, leaving her opponent, Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys, trailing at 20%. With just over a week remaining before the presidential election, these numbers signal a critical shift in the race for the Áras.

The poll, conducted among 1,200 voters from Sunday to Tuesday, reveals that former candidate Jim Gavin, who exited the race last week but remains on the ballot, holds 5% of the vote. Meanwhile, a notable 18% of respondents remain undecided, while 12% indicated they will not vote, and 6% plan to spoil their ballots.

As the election date approaches, the implications of these findings are profound. Connolly’s lead suggests a strong momentum that could redefine the political landscape in Ireland. Notably, the poll also indicates that second preference votes from Gavin are likely to be split evenly between Connolly and Humphreys, further complicating the dynamics of the race.

Amidst these developments, 67% of voters believe Gavin made the right decision to withdraw, a sentiment echoed by 68% of Fianna Fáil supporters. However, the poll also highlights a growing disconnect, with 49% of voters feeling unrepresented by the current candidates. Over 55% of respondents stated that it should be easier for individuals to run for the Áras, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive electoral process.