Left-wing independent Catherine Connolly arrived at Dublin Castle Saturday evening to greet supporters after her rival conceded defeat in a presidential election.

Vote counting was still underway but ahead of the official result, Heather Humphreys, of the center-right party Fine Gael, told reporters that she wanted “to congratulate Catherine Connolly on becoming the next president of Ireland."

Polls have suggested consistent and strong voter support for Connolly, 68, over Humphreys, 64, for president, a largely ceremonial role in Ireland.

Connolly, a former barrister and an independent lawmaker since 2016, has been outspoken in criticizing Israel over the war in Gaza. She has also warned against the European Union's growing “militarization" following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.