Ireland re-elects Higgins as president

DUBLIN, Oct 28 (BBC): Michael D Higgins has been re-elected as Irish president after receiving 56 per cent of the country's election vote.

Businessman Peter Casey came second with 23.1 per cent, while none of the other four candidates polled more than 10 per cent.

Earlier on Saturday, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said she was "disappointed" the party's candidate had not polled better.

Voters also supported the proposal to remove blasphemy as an offence from the Constitution, with 64.85 per cent voting yes.