Voting is underway in Ireland's presidential election in a race, which has been marked by voter apathy and polarisation between establishment conservatism and a resurgent left.

The election race is a head-to-head contest between Catherine Connolly, an independent who has secured the backing of left-wing opposition parties, and Heather Humphreys, the candidate for Fine Gael who was a minister in the last coalition.

The women are vying to replace Michael D Higgins, who has served as president since 2011.

Connolly, the clear favourite in a series of opinion polls conducted throughout the campaign, said she was the representative of a "movement" and a "voice for peace" and "unity".

The 68-year-old Galway mother of two had previous careers as a psychologist and barrister and has been back

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