Heather Humphreys condedes presidential election, congratulates Catherine Connolly

Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys has conceded defeat and congratulated Catherine Connolly, who is on course to become the next president of Ireland.

Ms Humphreys told RTÉ: “Catherine will be a president for all of us, and she will be my president, and I really would like to wish her all the very, very best.

“I have absolutely not one regret.”

Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris has also “sincerely” congratulated Catherine Connolly on “becoming our next president of Ireland”.

Mr Harris said in a statement that Ms Connolly will be a president “for all this country and for all of us”.

He added, “I wish her every success. Her success will be Ireland’s success.

“Thank you so much to Heather for all her effort. Proud of her.”

Ms Humphreys also said she had “no regrets” about running for the presidency.

Thanking those who voted for her, she said: “The campaign was busy and I enjoyed it, I really did.

“I went to every part of this country, to every county, and I got a wonderful welcome from many, many people.

“And what it did teach me was this is a wonderful country, and we should be very proud of it.

“I’m glad that I took the opportunity in August to go forward. This is democracy and as I said, I really want to wish Catherine all the very, very best.”

She added: “I have no regrets. I stepped up to the plate, and that’s what democracy is about.

“It’s about people putting their name on the ballot paper, about people going forward. So I have absolutely not one regret, and I’m glad I did it.”

However, Ms Humphreys said she found sectarian comments about her and her family during the campaign “very difficult” and “disappointing”.

“My family and I, but especially my family, were subjected to some absolutely awful sectarian abuse, and I was disappointed because as a country I thought we had moved on from that.

“I think there needs to be a greater understanding of other traditions in this country and perhaps that’s something that maybe I can contribute towards because there is a lot of misunderstanding out there and if we are ever to have a united Ireland we have to respect all traditions.”

Asked about the level of spoiled votes, Ms Humphreys said it was “unfortunate”, adding that the number of candidates in presidential elections may be looked at by the Government.

“What’s next for me? Well, I can tell you I intend to go back and enjoy some quality time with family.

“I have a seven-week-old grandson that I really haven’t seen much of, and I am very fond of my garden, and I can assure you I have a lot of work to do because I haven’t been there for well over two months.”