Strong surge boosts Gallagher’s bid

A SURPRISE surge in the polls has left Sean Gallagher in a strong position to snatch the presidency, as the Independent was braced for a backlash from rivals.

The TV business pundit emerged as the main challenger to Labour’s front-runner Michael D Higgins in two snapshots of voting intentions.

The sudden rise in his support, which has almost doubled to 21% in a Red C poll for Paddy Power, is set to turn the spotlight on the Dragon’s Den host, with opponents likely to play-up his past close links to Fianna Fáil.