Mitchell biggest spender in presidential election

Gay Mitchell, widely regarded as the biggest loser of the presidential election battle has now been revealed as its biggest spender.

The Fine Gael candidate flopped to just 6.5% of the vote despite forking-out €527,152, figures from the Standards in Public Office Commission show.

Expenditure disclosed by the seven election candidates amounted to €2,318,577, while total donations disclosed totalled €304,570.

Mary Davis spent €414,041 to finish last, while winner Micheal D Higgins romped to victory with a €359,935 war chest.

Martin McGuinness, who finished third on 13%, spent €302,563. Almost €3,000 of the €27,000 he spent on transport and travel was paid to Morgan Fuels, run by Hugh Morgan — the very businessman who claimed he gave Sean Gallagher a cheque for a Fianna Fáil fundraiser in 2008. Sinn Féin said Mr McGuinness’s driver had used a Morgan Fuels card.

President Higgins received the greatest amount of donations at €121,421, just ahead of Ms Davis on €120,095.