MICHAEL D Higgins is the overwhelming favourite to win next month's presidential election, according to one bookmaker.
Ladbrokes said Mr Higgins' odds of being re-elected on October 26 were the shortest in history.
The bookmaker said Mr Higgins is 1/14 favourite to win the poll. He was first elected as president in October 2011, winning more than one million votes.
His closest rival is businessman Sean Gallagher at 10/1, ahead of Gavin Duffy at 12/1.
Sinn Féin's Liadh Ní Riada is 20/1, Joan Freeman is 33/1, while Derry businessman Peter Casey is the 100/1 outsider.
Ladbrokes' spokeswoman Nicola McGeady said: "Unlike 2011 where the betting was relatively close, the current presidential race looks a one-horse race".
"Michael D Higgins is the shortest priced favourite ever to serve a second term, but with his odds so short, some punters are having a flutter on an upset," she said.
