Social Democrats founder Róisín Shortall makes move up in Irish President betting

Eva Osborne

Róisín Shortall is one of the prime candidates being backed to be elected Irish President later this year as BoyleSports has now made her just 6/1 to succeed Michael D. Higgins.

The Social Democrats co-founder came out as the most popular choice with voters when she topped a pre-Christmas poll in the Irish Daily Mail of potential candidates, and the latest moves in the odds leave only two names ahead of her in the betting.

Mairead McGuinness, who failed to secure the Fine Gael party nomination ahead of the 2011 election, remains the 7/2 favourite having received her own boost in the popularity stakes when topping a Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks opinion poll this month.

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who refused to rule out a bid when quizzed on his intentions last year, is also considered a likely runner and is a 5/1 shot to take over in Áras an Uachtaráin.

Former Tánaiste Michael McDowell finished just behind Mairead McGuinness in the most recent poll of possible runners and has been cut into 12/1 from 25/1, while comedian Tommy Tiernan is also 12/1 amid rumours he could throw his hat in the ring.

Other candidates from outside the world of politics include GAA President Jarlath Burns (16/1) and RTÉ presenter Miriam O’Callaghan (20/1).

Michael D. Higgins will see out his second term this year and an election to replace him must take place by Monday, October 27th.

Lawrence Lyons, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: “We’re waiting for the first shots to be fired but Róisín Shortall is the big market mover so far and punters also reckon the chatter surrounding Tommy Tiernan is no joke ”