Connaught contender Connolly on course to win presidential election

Independent candidate Catherine Connolly has a substantial lead in the Presidential Election, a new Business Post/Red C poll indicates.

The survey places Connolly's support at 36%.

Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys is at 25% support.

Jim Gavin, who pulled out of the election last Sunday, but whose name remains on the ballot paper, is at 12% and a substantial 27% remain undecided.

When Gavin's first preferences are redistributed based on second preference patterns, Connolly’s support rises to 39%, while Humphreys' increases to 31%.

The remaining 30% either remain undecided or give non-transferable preferences.

The margin of error in the poll is +/-3%.

The online survey of 1,001 people was conducted on the dates between October 2 and 7.