The Race for the Áras 2012

Political intrigue, high drama and farce characterised Ireland s presidential campaign of 2011.Consistent opinion poll-topper David Norris was the first to declare and the first to crash out after it was revealed he had appealed for clemency for his former lover who was convicted of statutory rape of a teenage boy.A month later, he was back in the race. A media frenzy erupted again when it emerged that new party leader, Micheál Martin, had tried but failed to convince broadcasting legend Gay Byr