London (AP): Left-wing independent Catherine Connolly is set to become Ireland's next president after her rival conceded defeat in the country's presidential elections on Saturday.

Vote counting was still underway but ahead of the official result being declared, Heather Humphreys, of the centre-right party Fine Gael, told reporters that she “wanted to congratulate Catherine Connolly on becoming the next president of Ireland."

“Catherine will be a president for all of us and she will be my president, and I really would like to wish her all the very, very best,” she said.

Polls have suggested consistent and strong voter support for Connolly, 68, over Humphreys, 64, for president, a largely ceremonial role in Ireland.

Connolly, a former barrister, and an independent lawmaker since 2016, h

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