It is lowest common denominator stuff, but Casey knows exactly what he is doing

Irish Times opinion poll: President set to be re-elected at his ease

President streets ahead of all challengers in Irish Times poll

The Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI opinion poll analysis

In focusing on trivia, the challengers waste time they could be spending making a positive case for themselves

Patrick Freyne: You could argue that it would be better to run a Rose of Tralee-style pageant

Gallagher concerned at the ‘extravagance attached to the office’ Michael D Higgins

Donald Clarke dishes out the star ratings for the presidential candidates’ one-minute pitches

Sinn Féin candidate tells supporters next great debate will be on a united Ireland

Nominations for election closed at noon on Wednesday, with six names on ballot paper

Labour leader says party will act as ‘ground troops’ in upcoming presidential election

‘Courageous and respected’ Nasrin Sotoudeh has gone on hunger strike in Tehran prison

MEP says public access to the Gearagh near Macroom in Co Cork must be restored

Sinn Féin’s Liadh Ní Riada says having part of Ireland outside of the EU will ‘spell disaster’ for country

‘Any change to EU language regime subject to vote of the Council,’ says Commission

Sinn Féin MEPs and Nessa Childers to vote against legislation in European Parliament

Weekly protest in Co Cork parish ends against bank bailout

An amendment banning bullfighting subsidies was passed by the European Parliament

Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan opposes motion saying EU ‘doesn’t have a clue’ on sovereignty

Independents Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan and Brian Crowley monitored by watchdog