Irish Presidential Candidate 'Rejects Poll'

Fine Gael's Irish Presidential candidate Gay Mitchell has discarded the findings of the latest opinion poll while fellow Labour candidate Michael D Higgins has rejected claims that he is too old to run for Aras.

The Red C Poll published in Sunday's Business Post showed Mr Mitchell having dropped a further two points, since the last poll, to 8%.

Mr Mitchell said 40% of people decided their voting intention in the last general election in the seven days leading to the ballot and Fine Gael will 'turn out' the vote leading to a very different picture on Thursday week.

Meanwhile Mr Higgins who saw an increase of two points in the poll bringing him to 27% has described the talk of him being too old to be the next President of Ireland as "crude".

He said any suggestions that the difference between the two front runners, this being himself and Independent candidate Sean Gallagher, in the latest opinion poll was related to the age-groups to which they were appealing would be to get it entirely wrong.

According to Higgins the differences were that he was bringing essential requirements to the presidency, including knowledge of how the constitution works.

However Higgins is no longer leading the race after Gallagher saw his support increase by 18 points since the last Red C poll nine days ago and is now on 39%.

All the other candidates have lost support with Martin McGuinness down three to 13%, David Norris down seven to 7%, Mary Davis down five to 4% and Dana Rosemary Scallon down three to 2%.

Significant Announcements

Meanwhile, Independent David Norris - who saw his support halved in the survey - is to make a "significant announcement" at Government Buildings today.

Senator Norris was originally scheduled to take part in a debate with the other candidates later today, but his team failed to confirm his attendance at that event last night.

(LB/CD)