Michael D ready to take the reins of power

MICHAEL D Higgins grabbed the reins of a wild west-style, horse-drawn wagon yesterday to ensure he stayed well ahead of the posse.

And despite an impressive performance in the opinion polls, he insisted there was no room for complacency and it would be all guns blazing from now until October 27.

With the latest poll placing the veteran Labour politician at 25% — four points clear of nearest rival Sean Gallagher — he was in buoyant mood as he swapped his luxury election coach for an old-style barrel wagon in Kerry yesterday.

But he warned party campaigners that the real work must start now if he is to remain out in front for the remainder of the campaign.

Anxious to play down the significance of his impressive showing in the opinion polls, Mr Higgins said what pleased him most is he seems to be getting support from voters of all ages.

“Obviously I look at the polls like everybody else. I find a very even performance and I’m securing support from both genders in all the regions but one. That’s quite a satisfactory position,” he said.

Speaking in Killarney, where he was accompanied on a town centre walkabout by Senator Marie Moloney and former TD Breeda Moynihan-Cronin, Mr Higgins expressed surprise that some of his rivals are pulling out of live college debates organised by and for young students.

“Gay Mitchell pulled out of the one in Cork but he has probably very good reasons. It’s a very tough campaign and you’re trying to be everywhere. I don’t criticise other candidates if they have to make choices.”

Separately, the poll, conducted by Red C for Paddy Power, revealed that 59% of people believe David Norris should publish the controversial clemency letters he wrote for a former partner convicted of the statutory rape of a 15-year-old-boy in 1997.

More than a third of his own supporters back the publication.

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin candidate Martin McGuinness called for political leaders to take action to halt the wave of emigration. Speaking after meeting students in Sligo, he said: “It is our job to make sure these students are not driven from Ireland when they complete their degrees.”