Catherine Connolly, an independent politician supported by left-wing groups, won the presidential election in Ireland with 63.36 per cent of the vote. Her main rival, Heather Humphreys of the Fine Gael party, received 29.46 per cent, and Jim Gavin of Fianna Fáil received 7.18 per cent. Turnout was 45.8 per cent, with as many as 12.9 per cent of votes invalid.more