McGuinness slips in race for president

Former Irish Republican Army commander Martin McGuinness has slipped to fifth from third in the race to become Ireland’s president, a new poll showed, as his Sinn Fein party struggles to match its success in Northern Ireland.

After a wave of criticism of his violent past and accusations he is misrepresenting the extent of his role in the IRA, support for Mr McGuinness has fallen over the last two weeks to 11 per cent from 17 per cent, ahead of the 27 October election.

Voters instead look set to choose either poet and former culture minister Michael D Higgins or senator David Norris, a scholar in the works of novelist James Joyce, for the largely ceremonial role.

Mr Higgins has the support of 27 per cent and Mr Norris 20 per cent of voters, the Quantum Research/Sunday Independent poll found.

Despite a surge in support since Ireland’s economy collapsed in 2008, Mr McGuinness’s Sinn Fein party remains toxic for many voters in the Irish republic because of the targeting of civilians by its IRA military wing during a 30-year campaign against British rule in Northern Ireland.

Sinn Fein secured 10 per cent of the vote in Irish parliamentary elections in February.

Some voters also have expressed concern about the impact of a strong McGuinness showing on Ireland’s international reputation.