Irish presidential election: voters go to the polls

A record seven candidates have been vying for the office of president

Irish voters are to go to the polls on Thursday to elect the country's ninth head of state.

The campaign for the presidency has been beset by controversy with several of the seven candidates facing some controversy about their past careers.
The election comes as the country continues its bid to recover from the worst recession in living memory.
Polling stations in 43 constituencies open at 07:00 BST on Thursday and close at 22:00 BST.
The seven candidates are Fine Gael's Gay Mitchell, Michael D Higgins of the Labour Party, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness as well as independents Sean Gallagher, Dana Rosemary Scallon, Mary Davis and David Norris.
Counting will begin at about 09:00 BST on Friday with the announcement of the winner due at the weekend.