Coughlan may get to witness an Obama win

TÁNAISTE Mary Coughlan may get to witness some of the celebrations in Chicago firsthand if Barack Obama is elected the next US president.

Ms Coughlan has arrived in the US for a trade mission which will bring her to several cities, with Chicago the last stop on her itinerary towards the end of the week. By then, the result in the presidential election will be clear, with voters in the US going to the polls tomorrow and the outcome expected to be known early Wednesday morning Irish time.

Long-time Chicago resident Mr Obama is ahead in the polls, and if he emerges victorious, the city is expected to witness sustained celebrations.