A NEW POLL shows 76% support for same-sex marriage in Ireland, ahead of this summer’s referendum.

The Red C poll was carried out by phone among 1002 people. The referendum will be held in May.

It shows that 81% of women and 72% of men polled supported marriage for same-sex couples. People aged 18 – 24 were most likely to support it, with support generally declining as the age of those polled increased.

The news has been welcomed by Ireland’s human rights watchdog, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties. Its director, Mark Kelly, said that the poll ”is further evidence of the deep repository of goodwill amongst voters in Ireland towards full equality for same sex couples.”

Labour Party TD for Dublin North West and Co-Chair of Labour LGBT, John Lyons, also welcomed the poll.

“Today’s poll builds upon consecutive national polls which show consistent support to afford gay and lesbian couples the right to civil marriage,” he said.

He described it as “important for anyone who supports marriage equality to not become complacent”.

Strong support in polls does not mean a done deal, particularly when it comes to referenda.

To read the full details from today’s opinion poll – the first of the year – read our earlier article here.

First published 6.14pm

Read: Government parties are up FIVE POINTS in the first poll of the year>