Peter Casey looks like he'll come in second, polling at around 20% support.
As ballot boxes around the country are counted, early tallies indicate a 60 per cent vote for Michael D Higgins - with some boxes almost entirely in favour of the current President.
With over a third of the boxes tallied in Louth & East Meath, Ni Riada from Sinn Fein is on 7.9% with Michael D. on close to 60% of the vote #Aras18 #Louth pic.twitter.com/wO8ye4IFUx
— Ged Nash (@geraldnash) October 27, 2018
Source: Twitter (@geraldnash
Sinn Fein's candidate Liadh Ni Riada polled worse than Martin McGuinness in 2011 with the exit poll showing she only secured between 7 and 8 per cent of the vote.
The party has been criticised for being slow to announce their candidate but the party's health spokesperson Louise O'Reilly is blaming the poor turnout.
Meanwhile, businessman Gavin Duffy says he has no regrets about his decision to run for office.
Last night he tweeted his congratulations to Michael D Higgins and wished him all the best for his second term.
@rtenews exit poll. President Higgins 58% Casey 21% Ní Riada 7% Freeman & Gallagher 6%, me last 2%. Thank you to those who voted for me. I value every vote. I wish our President every good wish for his second term. pic.twitter.com/ElURaSFMIv
— Gavin Duffy (@GavinDuffy) October 26, 2018
Source: Twitter (@GavinDuffy)
It's likely Michael D Higgins will win on the first count at some point this afternoon.
