Candidates Campaign On Last Day Of Presidential Race

All seven presidential candidates will campaign across the country in an eleventh hour attempt to secure votes before polling day tomorrow.

A news 'black out' on radio and TV will come into effect later this afternoon and will last until polls close at 10pm tomorrow night.

Today’s canvassing is set to be 'quieter' than we have seen in the last week, with many of the candidates in their home constituencies.

The campaign, which has been described as "negative" by independent candidate Mary Davis, has been littered with 'finger pointing' and 'mud slinging'.

Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness has been plagued with questions and accusations about his IRA past.

Meanwhile Senator David Norris appeared to lose support after being continually questioned about clemency letters he wrote on behalf of his former lover, who was accused of the statutory rape of a 15-year-old boy.

Dana Rosemary Scallon came under fire about her US citizenship and caused a stir when she made statement to deny "false" allegations made against her family.

Most recently the poll 'favourite' Sean Gallagher has admitted that he 'may have delivered a cheque from a fuel smuggler' to Fianna Fail headquarters three years ago causing fresh criticism.

Gallagher had already faced a barrage of criticism from the other six presidential candidates over his political background and business deals, including a bookkeeping error over a lodged €89,000 cheque when the new accusation was launched.

It will be an eager wait for the seven hopefuls and it may Friday or even Saturday before the next president of Ireland is named.

According to the latest opinion poll, released on Monday by the Irish Times, Sean Gallagher has 40% of the vote with his nearest rival Michael D Higgins 15 points behind on 25%.

Martin McGuinness is in third place on 15%. David Norris is on 8%, closely followed by Gay Mitchell on 6%. Meanwhile Mary Davis and Dana Rosemary Scallon are in joint last position on 3%.

(LB/GK)