Spoiled votes are proving to be a key feature in the ongoing presidential election, with some centres counting more spoilt ballots than those for Heather Humphreys and Jim Gavin combined.

Dissatisfaction in the choice of candidates, immigration and comments on the alleged sexual assault of a child last week are prominent features of the spoilt votes.

Former presidential hopeful Gareth Sheridan said that while he doesn’t agree with the spoil the vote movement, there is clear frustration being expressed by a large portion of the electorate.

Gareth Sheridan speaking outside Offaly County Council offices in Tullamore. Picture date: Monday September 22, 2025. Image: Niall Carson / Alamy

“There's frustrations and I think there's lessons and learnings to be taken from this election,” he told Shane Coleman.

“But spoiling your vote, for me, is not the way to achieve that.

“Use the democratic process, remember this next time around at our next election and vote accordingly; I think that's the best way to really send a message.”

 

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However, Mr Sheridan said there have been clear issues with the representation present in this year’s election.

“People are frustrated, I think 49% of people felt like they didn't resonate specifically with one or the other candidate,” he said.

“This isn't what the Presidential Election should be.

“We should have a wide array of choices, different viewpoints, backgrounds, values that they want to bring to the presidency.”

Spoilt votes 2025 Presidential Election. Image: Barry White / Newstalk.

Mr Sheridan rejected the notion that his nomination bid fell flat because he entered the race too late and said he now believes “the nomination process is not fit for purpose as it currently stands”.

With Catherine Connolly already being widely recognised as the winner of the race, Mr Sheridan said the success of her campaign lay in her online presence.

“I think the video of Cristiano Connolly doing the keepie-uppies was the moment she won the election,” he said.

“It resonated with people; she was very human in it, she was competitive – those children didn’t stand a chance.

“I think it’s quite evident then if you just look at the socials and the followings, on Instagram, I think Connolly has over 100,000 followers.

“Where Heather, I don’t know if she broke 10,000 – because [Catherine] resonated with younger people, and the issues she stood for resonated with younger people.”

Main image: Gareth Sheridan in the Newstalk studio