Gaybo is the nation’s favourite for Áras

GAY BYRNE is the public’s preferred choice to be the country’s next president, an opinion poll has shown.

The veteran broadcaster comfortably topped a poll of potential and confirmed presidential candidates, making him the early favourite for the Áras.

The veteran broadcaster secured 28% of first-preference votes in the poll, seven points ahead of Labour’s Michael D Higgins who was in second place.

Fine Gael’s Gay Mitchell could only tie for third place on 13% with Fianna Fáil’s Brian Crowley.

The results will be viewed with concern within Fine Gael headquarters and fuel the doubts of party leader Enda Kenny’s advisers about the ability of Mr Mitchell to win. But Mr Mitchell’s campaign downplayed the poll’s significance last night, with the candidate himself saying: “It is very early days and I am looking forward to a vigorous and energetic campaign.”

Elsewhere, the poll showed Independent candidate Seán Gallagher performing solidly on 12%, with two other Independents, Mary Davis and Dana Rosemary Scanlon, on 7% and 6% respectively.

Transfers will play a crucial role in electing the next president, and the poll showed that Mr Higgins and Mr Mitchell perform strongest when it comes to winning second preferences.

Seventeen percent of people indicated they would give their second preference to Mr Higgins, and 15% to Mr Mitchell. However, Mr Byrne also did well on second preferences, with 14% saying they would give him their number-two vote.

The findings will strengthen Fianna Fáil’s belief that Mr Byrne, to whom the party has offered its support, can beat the Fine Gael and Labour candidates.

However, Mr Byrne has not yet stated whether he will stand, and has also made clear that if he were to run, it would be as an Independent candidate.

Mr Higgins is Labour’s confirmed candidate, and Mr Mitchell is the Fine Gael candidate. Seán Gallagher and Mary Davis have also confirmed that they will be running, but Dana Rosemary Scanlon has yet to confirm or rule out a bid.

Brian Crowley, meanwhile, is willing to run for Fianna Fáil but won’t get its nomination if the party opts to support Mr Byrne.

The poll of 1,000 adults was conducted this week by Red C for bookmakers Paddy Power. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3%.

The poll also showed continuing support for Independent Senator David Norris, who pulled out of the race amid controversy over representations he made on behalf of his former partner in the late 1990s. Two in five respondents (40%) said they would have voted for Mr Norris had he run.