Independent candidate Catherine Connolly will become Ireland’s next president after her rival conceded.

Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys said: “Catherine will be president of all of us and she will be my president, and I would really like to wish her all the best.

“I don’t regret it at all.”

Ireland’s deputy prime minister “sincerely” congratulated Connolly, 68, who is supported by Sinn Féin, on “becoming our next president of Ireland.”

Simon Harris, who leads the Fine Gael party that nominated Humphreys, said in a statement that Connolly will be president “for this whole country and for all of us.”

The final result will be officially declared by Presidential Returning Officer Barry Ryan once all 43 electoral districts have completed counting.

Connolly previously said she was “absolutely delighted” with counts showing she was on track to replace Michael D. Higgins, a popular poet and former arts minister who has served the maximum two terms.

The role, which Higgins has played for the past 14 years, is largely ceremonial, but with real national significance.

Ms Connolly is a former clinical psychologist and lawyer who served as deputy speaker of the Irish lower house after
being elected for the first time in 2016.

Read more: Who is Catherine Connolly?

“The people have made their decision”

Taoiseach Micheal Martin also congratulated Mrs Connolly, saying: “The people have made their decision and I have no doubt that Catherine Connolly will serve the country well.”

He said he looked forward to working with Ms Connolly as “Ireland continues to play an important role on the world stage”.

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns added that Connolly’s apparent victory represented a “seismic moment in our history”.

The Social Democrats were one of the parties that supported the independent Connolly in the election.

She said: “The momentum behind Catherine’s presidential bid was incredible, growing from a small campaign run by dedicated volunteers to the grassroots movement it became.

“From day one, his message of inclusion, equality and social justice resonated with voters in every corner of Ireland.

“Catherine had a clear vision for the presidency and was determined to speak out on issues that mattered to people: housing, cost of living, disability services, climate action, the Irish language and neutrality.

“Catherine’s thoughtful, focused and compassionate approach to this campaign was hugely impressive.”