Catherine Connolly is on 44 per cent in the poll and Heather Humphreys is on 25 per cent.

The presidential hopeful stopped and posed for photographs for a crowd gathered at Market Square, before walking the town's streets.

The Independent Presidential candidate is visiting Longford and Athlone today as part of her campaign.

Earlier this week, Paul Quinn's mother, Breege Quinn, called on Ms Connolly to encourage Sinn Féin to give her any information they may have on Paul's murder.

Connolly is on 38 per cent and Humphreys is on 20 per cent.

It follows today's Business Post Red C poll showing Independent candidate Catherine Connolly on 36 per cent, with Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys on 25 per cent.

The latest Business Post Red C poll shows Connolly on 36 per cent, with Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys on 25 per cent and Jim Gavin, who pulled out of the contest, on 12 per cent.

The poll revealed Fianna Fáil candidate Jim Gavin's score is at 15 per cent in the first poll since nominations closed. 

It's the lowest number of candidates on the ballot paper in 35 years.

Earlier today, party leader Mary Lou McDonald made the announcement, saying their job is 'to get Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael out of government.'

It comes after months of uncertainty about Sinn Féin's strategy for the elections, with party leader Ms McDonald ruling herself out of the race.