Live coverage of the Irish presidential election on IrishCentral - Friday, October 28th

Huge bets have been placed on Micheal D. Higgins to become the next President of Ireland despite the polls showing another candidate, Sean Gallagher, well ahead.

Gallagher had been backed into odds-on favorite after the latest poll  but on Thursday several $20,000 bets were placed on Higgins catapulting him into the favorite’s role at almost 1/3 odds.
Gallagher meanwhile had eased out to almost 2/1.

Paddy Power bookmakers pronounced themselves surprised by the huge betting on Higgins considering the latest public opinion poll showed him 12 points behind Gallagher.

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Paddy Power spokesman Ken Robertson told the Irish Independent it was unusual to see such betting activity on a candidate who was behind in the latest poll.

However, there have been instances in the past where party insiders, who conduct daily tracking polls bet on the candidate they see surging.

Gallagher has come int for severe criticism for his links to the now discredited Fianna Fail party which was in power for the economic slump that hit Ireland.

Live coverage of the Irish presidential election on IrishCentral - Friday, October 28th