Terry Prone: We were told vote spoiling was pointless — but it sent a message

This wasn’t just rejection of candidates. This was people bringing their own Sharpies in sufficient numbers to leave messages which — as it turned out — made it efficiently into mainstream media

None of the above: Around 190,000 people spoiled their ballot. Picture: Larry Cummins

Within half an hour of the opening of the first ballot boxes, the triumph and tragedy of this presidential contest were clear.

The triumph belonged to Catherine Connolly. It was so indisputable that she was able to announce her intention to head to Dublin before most people had woken up or tuned in.