DUBLIN, Oct 25, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Left-wing independent Catherine Connolly was on Saturday declared the winner of Ireland's presidential election, beating her centrist opponent by a huge margin in a contest marred by spoilt ballots.

Connolly, 68, a lawyer, lawmaker and outspoken critic of both the United States and European Union, won over 63 percent of the ballots, well ahead of centrist candidate Heather Humphreys, on 29.5 percent.