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As counting begins in the Irish Presidential Election, Michael D Higgins is now seen as almost certain to succeed Mary McAleese in Aras an Uachtarain.

Some of the main bookmakers have suspended betting on the presidential market, but the Betfair exchange market is still alive - and it offers plenty of insight into the election count.

At the time of writing, Michael D can only be backed at 1.01 - effectively making him the 1/100 favourite to win.

His rivals' chances are now effectively shot to pieces, with Sean Gallagher available at 40/1, Martin McGuinness listed at 80/1 and everyone else out with the washing at 200/1-plus.

Gallagher had been in a comfortable position, 15 points clear at the top of the opinion polls, prior to this week's final debate on RTE's Frontline programme, at which the cheque-gate, erm, scandal was broken by McGuinness.

The prices are obviously subject to change, but at this point in time it looks as if Michael D. has run away with the race and he'll be the one climbing on a pedestal to shake hands with visiting dignitaries in the coming months and years.

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