There also appeared to be a significant number of spoiled votes as the ballot boxes were opened. If Mr Gavin got over 12.5 per cent of the vote, Fianna Fáil could have received up to €250,000 back on campaign expenses.

Outside politics, Connolly is a passionate Irish speaker and a keen sportswoman who ran marathons and played badminton competitively in her younger years. The 68 year old recently showed off her skills on the campaign trail by playing football and basketball with children at a block of flats in northside Dublin.

Catherine Connolly, one of the fiercest left-wing independent candidates, might be crowned the next president of Ireland. With voting now closed and counting underway, Connolly appears to hold a commanding lead over her opponents.