One President visits as locals prepare to elect another

President Mary McAleese received a warm reception in Kiltoom this week as up to 100,000 people in Westmeath and Roscommon prepared to go to the polls to elect her successor. Several hundred turned out to greet the President when she visited St Brigid's GAA club on Monday afternoon. It was the last engagement outside Dublin of her 14-year term in office. She was presented with an Ann McGuinness painting of Lough Ree and a plaque was unveiled to commemorate her visit. The name on the next plaque to mark a local Presidential visit will be decided tomorrow (Thursday). In county Westmeath, a total of 55,995 people are eligible to vote in the Presidential election and referendums on judges' pay and Oireachtas inquiries. This is 2,712 fewer than the number allowed to vote in Westmeath in last February's general election. At the time of going to press Roscommon County Council could not confirm the total number eligible to vote in the county this week. The total is likely to be broadly similar to the 47,215 who could vote in Roscommon in February. An Irish Times / Ipsos MRBI poll which was published earlier this week showed businessman Seán Gallagher in a commanding lead with 40% support, ahead of Michael D Higgins (on 25%) and Martin McGuinness (15%). However this poll appeared before Monday's debate on RTE's Frontline programme, in which Mr Gallagher came under increasing pressure over his past activities as a member of Fianna Fáil. Meanwhile voters across the region will on Thursday also be asked to vote on two referendums. The counts for the presidential election and referendums will be held in Keenagh in the Longford/Westmeath constituency and in Roscommon town for the Roscommon/South Leitrim constituency.