Left behind

THE presidency is Sean Gallagher’s to lose after three polls in 24 hours confirmed the Independent candidate holds a double-digit lead over Labour’s Michael D Higgins.

Mr Higgins upped the attacks on his rival yesterday, attempting to link former Dragons’ Den star Mr Gallagher to the excesses of the Celtic Tiger.

The Labour candidate said his achievements had been in the Dáil rather than in the “Companies Office”, adding: “I’m in favour of a social economy. I am not trying to revive the Celtic Tiger’s excesses.”