Turnout about 50 percent in Irish election

Irish voters went to the polls Thursday to choose between seven candidates for the largely ceremonial office of president.This year's election attracted unusual attention because the candidates included Martin McGuinness, a former IRA commander who is now deputy prime minister in Northern Ireland, and Sean Gallagher, a businessman and reality TV star, The Guardian reported. The current president, Mary McAleese, had no opposition when she ran for a second term in 2004.Counting was to begin Friday, with results announced sometime during the weekend. Late polls put Gallagher in the lead.Turnout was estimated at about 50 percent, slightly less than in the parliamentary election this year.The Irish president serves a seven-year term and is limited to two terms in office. The president's role is almost entirely ceremonial and presidents are specifically barred from addressing the nation without approval of the government.The last two presidents have exercised their right to speak on other occasions, giving frequent interviews.