London: A left-wing lawmaker will become Ireland’s next president after trouncing her rival at the ballot box with her sharp criticisms of social inequality and her pledge to be a “moral compass” in the ceremonial role.

Catherine Connolly gained more than 60 per cent of the vote thanks to supporters ranging from the major progressive parties to outspoken rap group Kneecap and former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams.

Born into a family of 14 children, she practiced as a clinical psychologist in the 1980s and then studied law at the University of Galway before becoming a barrister and running for office.

The outcome came days after one of Ireland’s most prominent exports, rock star Bob Geldof, said he could have “walked it in” and won the presidency if he had acted in time and entered the ra

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