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Presidential poll shock as Norris, Mitchell vote collapses

Martin McGuinness in rapid rise in latest figures

CATHAL DERVAN,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Thursday, October 6, 2011, 7:17 AM

Updated Thursday, October 6, 2011, 10:00 AM

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Presidential candidate Martin McGuinness

Photo by Google Images

Martin McGuinness, Michael D Higgins and Sean Gallagher are the big winners in the latest Presidential election opinion poll – with David Norris and Fine Gael’s Gay Mitchell the biggest losers as their support plummets.

The latest series of controversial headlines surrounding Norris have cost him dearly after he dropped 14 points to just 11 per cent backing.

Mitchell is in line to become the fall guy of the election after slumping to just nine per cent support in the latest Irish Times/IPSOS MRBI poll.

Higgins is now the favorite to win the election but he does face strong competition from McGuinness and Independent candidate Sean Gallagher.

Labor Party veteran Higgins now stands on 23 per cent, three ahead of Gallagher who has shot up to 20 per cent with McGuinness in third place on 19 per cent.

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David Norris scandals continue - news book alleges affair with young Trinity student

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Independent candidate Mary Davis is unchanged at 12 per cent while Dana Rosemary Scallon has just six per cent backing amongst the electorate.

Reacting to the poll, McGuinness said: “What we are seeing in these polls is a snapshot rather than a reflection of the true figures. I’m performing quite strongly and that’s very pleasing.”

Neither Mitchell nor Norris commented on the latest poll results which are catastrophic for both the Fine Gael candidate and the Independent Senator.

Higgins has even managed to overtake Mitchell in terms of support from within the traditional Fine Gael vote with Mitchell only enjoying 21 per cent support from his own party.

A spokesman for Mitchell did admit that the Dubliner is ‘very disappointed’ with the results.

The Higgins camp said they were ‘very pleased’ with the Irish Times poll while Gallagher’s press officer confirmed they won’t make any comments on any polls.

Independent hopeful and Special Olympics boss Davis said: “The polls are showing strong volatility. We are still three weeks out and this poll was taken in a very challenging time in my campaign, but I’ve managed to stay stable. I’m feeling quite comfortable at this stage.”

Dana commented: “I’ve never been more than 6pc in any poll.”

This latest Irish Times poll was conducted on Monday and Tuesday of this week amongst 1000 respondents across all constituencies.

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seanomelbourne | Oct 08, 2011, 07:06 PM EDT

Gallagher is the Fianna Fail candidate for prez and pretending he's independent.He spents years on the FF executive and as a ministerial adviser.when FF and the banks robbed the Irish middle class.

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GeorgeDillon | Oct 08, 2011, 03:02 PM EDT

acareybarr: You're crazy. The only two words the Blueshirt Mitchell can say in Irish are Fine Gael. How come you're so witless?

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sirpeter | Oct 06, 2011, 05:50 PM EDT

I don't expect McGuinness to win.But it will be interesting to see how he does.It can't do Sinn Fein any harm.

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seanomelbourne | Oct 06, 2011, 04:09 PM EDT

I See the usual bunch of west brits and misinformed American faux Irish are ranting about MCGuiness.Higgins will probably win,the do nothing Higgins is typical of the political class. He tricks the Irish working man into thinking he's one of them.

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cillowen | Oct 06, 2011, 02:11 PM EDT

Martin McGuinness is Ireland, the others can't claim to have the interests of all the people of Ireland. A man in our time whose courage helped to throw off the yolk of oppression that his countrymen and women had to endure for too too long. The peaceful marching beating that he and friends were to experience in that carved out statelet got him involved at age 18 to protect his fellows as would be manly natural. His ability to turn abuser priviliged souls and their Merry O protector around speaks volumes. As compared to Prez Dev much loved con artist - we learn that he was England's Greatest Spy. The same chap who caused brother to fight brother through his triggering of the Irish Civil War. This Dev guy's presidency has to be most embarrassing positioning of a weasel of his ilk. Ireland needs to correct the dysfunction that currently keeps on giving - it time to change course, the diaspora cries out for respectability - can't abide with the dumb that be.

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muirisobric | Oct 06, 2011, 02:04 PM EDT

Geeeeze, rebel if ú knew úr history úd never mention Kevin Barry & Michael Collins in the same breath as th'other 2. My Aunt knew Kevin Barry at UCD & he sure wasn't going about robbing banks ala Al Capone and killing his own.

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Towngate | Oct 06, 2011, 01:25 PM EDT

Kinvara7: Don't fret. IC has a sad history of backing the wrong political horses! Only Paddy Duffy of the staff writers has the courage to 'kick over the traces' and criticise the current favoured selection: McGuinness. I hope IC continues it's support as it will mean the 'kiss of death' for his chance of victory! We have a few weeks to go and no doubt we will have a few more 'polls, muck-raking and revelations' to endure before the final Vote. My own 'straw poll' sugggests that the battered and dispirited electorate will play safe and entrust the recovering reputation of the Nation to the increasingly impressive Michael D. Higgins, and that the also-ran 'Icy Bogside Boy' will be heading back up to the British Sector of North-East Ulster with his tail between his legs and an even more costive and chilling expression on his face! Perhaps the sensible people of NI will have taken the opportunity of his desertion from his Elected Office, to try and chomp the Greener Grass in the next field, to close the old Stormont Stable Door and put him 'out to grass'!

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Rebelforce | Oct 06, 2011, 01:14 PM EDT

Some of you thick paddies need to read up on your history. You think your grandparents and great-grandparents won independence from Britain by tossing marshmallows at the British army? Take your head out of your rear end already. You can't denounce men like Martin McGuiness and Gerry Adams without also denouncing Michael Collins and Kevin Barry.

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FastEddy | Oct 06, 2011, 01:04 PM EDT

" ... They’ve got the usual Socialist disease — they’ve run out of other people’s money. " - Margaret Thatcher

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muirisobric | Oct 06, 2011, 12:57 PM EDT

They shot & killed my friend Jerry McCabe who was on duty protecting the people of Ireland. There were no British soldiers in Limerick that morning that i know of. These hoodlums pumped bullets into Jerry & his partner. Jerry a Garda detective, died while our great Irish "patriots" were busy robbing a bank. Patriots me arse........

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acareybarr | Oct 06, 2011, 12:47 PM EDT

@Rebelforce -- Ugh!

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acareybarr | Oct 06, 2011, 12:44 PM EDT

@Kinvara7. Agreed. IC hardly practices journalism, which is a metier in which some professionalism and professional qualifications are required and these necessitate strict ethics, accountability, facility with the language used (good grammar, some style, adherence to the principles of Argument and, not least, intelligence.) This McGuinness allegiance smells of something like treason. -- That 'chancers' like McGuinness, Dowd (!!), Dana, et al ( -- hardly citizens fo the Republic of Ireland?- ) manage to set themselves up to run for election should not be allowed in any serious context, but as a testament to their own huge Egos. -- This 'reportage' is muck. But, worse... It is potentially dangerous because it rouses a dangerous / violent 'patriotism' the un-lettered (witness evidence of these in most comments) -- And, since ignorance can be lethal, thiscan cost lives (witness Northern Ireland's --and McGuinness's) tragic history of terrorism -- such muck masquerading as' journalism', or even 'news' or 'information', is sick and yellow stuff, indeed. David Norris is a fine and learned man who merely asked for clemency for a friend. Gay Mitchell is a noble and able politician. Michael D. is wonderful, and he has credentials and an excellent background and track record. All three can write and speak very well in the English and irish languages. - Enough said.

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Kilsally | Oct 06, 2011, 12:33 PM EDT

What do you expect from Irish America kinvara - it`s all rose tinted IRA freedom fighters and pictures of thatched cottages and horses and carts rather than the real island of Ireland we have today. Plenty of mention of Norris being gay and getting benefits (which legally speaking he was entitled) yet the fact that McGuinness was convicted in the Republic of Ireland for terrorism under Irish law and not in Northern Ireland under NI / British law or the promises he made to families like the Hegartys before the IRA blew his head off (taping his eyes first so they didnt come out).

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Rebelforce | Oct 06, 2011, 12:00 PM EDT

How blissfully therepeutic it will be for Irish voters to have the long awaited opportunity to vote for a truly ANTI-ESTABLISHMENT candidate, Martin McGuinness. Annoy the hell out of the bastards! Vote Martin McGuiness. A genuine Irish Freedom Fighter once again President of Ireland.

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muirisobric | Oct 06, 2011, 09:52 AM EDT

Geeeeeze, what a rogue's gallery of contenders. Murderers & cheats among them. Questionable morals all sorts of t'ings. Ireland is bereft of honesty both in its politicians & clergy. What's wrong wit'em? I applauded Niall O Dowd's withdrawal he wouldnt stand a chance up against some of those gangsters. Show me one politician in Ireland who is not in it for his/her own benefit & if any scraps fall to the people who voted for them good luck to'em. Saints and scholars my arse.

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