After a colourful campaign, a Higgins cakewalk

Mystery loans, expensive hotel stays, old skeletons in closets and Riverdancing across the world: the 2018 race for the Áras had something for everybody. Michael Brennan and Hugh O’Connell report

President Michael D Higgins and wife Sabina meet Barry O’Mahony and his young daughter Tui on Dublin’s Grafton Street Picture: Rollingnews
Joan Freeman arrives at the launch of her campaign in City Assembly House, South William Street, Dublin Pic: Leah Farrell/Rollingnews

The presidential election campaign effectively began in August last year, after Sunday Business Post columnist Elaine Byrne wrote a column warning that President Michael D Higgins had to stick to his promise of serving a single term only.

“The 2018 presidential election is not a priority for Fine Gael. If Michael D runs again, he ...