Sir, – While some have focused on the negatives, this election was a remarkably positive outcome for democracy. Not only did we subvert expectations with turnout up almost 2 per cent since 2018, but Catherine Connolly secured the highest first-preference vote in Irish presidential history, surpassing Éamon de Valera’s 56.3 per cent in 1959 by more than seven percentage points.

Yes, there were almost 13 per cent of spoiled ballots but even if those ballots were added to Heather Humphreys’s and Jim Gavin’s totals, Ms Connolly would still have won comfortably.

I’d much rather see people turning up and participating – even if that means spoiling their vote – than staying at home. As Franklin D Roosevelt once said: “The greatest threat to democracy is indifference.” – Yours, etc,

PETER ELST,

Donabate,

Co Dublin.

Sir, – I wish to congratulate Catherine Connolly on her win on Saturday. It was a remarkable result and was the climax of the “gluaiseacht” or grassroots movement behind her campaign.

I didn’t vote for her, however. I’m proud to say I was one of the large number of people who spoiled their vote.

I spoiled my vote primarily because of a lack of choice and that I felt neither of the two remaining candidates represented me. I also felt disillusioned with the system in that fine candidates such as Gareth Sheridan and Maria Steen failed to get nominated.

It is ironic that a grassroots movement, 213,738 of us, who spoiled our votes has restored my faith in democracy. – Yours, etc,

TOMMY RODDY,

Ballybane,

Co Galway.

Sir, – Almost all coverage of Catherine Connolly’s outstanding election victory is being qualified by reference to low turnout, spoiled votes, mainstream parties out of touch, etc.

The begrudging media narrative appears to suggest that Ms Connolly’s election is some kind of democratic accident