Ireland goes to polls after bitter presidential campaign

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/27/irish-presi...

Irish voters go to the polls on Thursday in the most fractious presidential election campaign since the republic was founded, with controversy dogging a number of the candidates.

Sean Gallagher, the TV star businessman and, until recently, frontrunner in the race, will learn later if allegations that he was a "bag man" for the Fianna Fáil party have ruined his chances of winning.

During the last televised debate on Monday on RTE's Frontline programme, Martin McGuinness effectively ambushed Gallagher over an allegation that he had solicited €5,000 for a fundraising dinner.

Before Monday night's revelation, Gallagher, the star of the Irish version of Dragon's Den, was leading the race with 40% support, according to the last opinion poll.