The Irish presidential election in 1974 resulted from the sudden death in office of President Childers. Initially all parties agreed to nominate the late president's widow, Rita Childers. But thanks to a breakdown in communications, Fianna Fáil withdrew from the agreement. Instead it proposed Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh, a former Chief Justice and an Attorney-General under Eamon de Valera. All parties agreed to the nomination. With no other candidates nominated, Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh was declared elected to be the fifth president of Ireland without a poll.

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