Independent TD Catherine Connolly has announced she will seek to become the next President, reports Breaking News.
The left-wing Galway West representative said she didn’t come to the decision lightly and was initially doubtful, but was persuaded by the messages she received from people encouraging her to run.
She explained the reasons behind her decision and shared her vision for the presidency during an appearance on RTÉ Raidio na Gaeltachta’s show Adhmhaidin, reports Breaking News.
“I was taken aback by the support I received, I wasn’t expecting that level of support from people across the country, in English and Irish,” she said speaking in Irish, reports Breaking News.
She described herself as independent, “not afraid to speak out,” and outlined her vision for the role.
She added: “I will give an ear to everyone, I worked as a clinical psychologist for seven years, and then I worked as a barrister. From that experience I can hear everyone’s opinion,” reports Breaking News.
On Tuesday, Mairead McGuinness became the first official nominee in the presidential race to succeed Michael D Higgins after his term ends this autumn.
Ms McGuinness, formerly a TV presenter and farming journalist before becoming an MEP and EU commissioner, is Fine Gael’s candidate for president.
Potential candidates need the support of 20 Oireachtas members to appear on the ballot, reports Breaking News.
Fianna Fáil, which has the most TDs in the Dáil, has not yet confirmed if it will put forward a candidate, with a decision expected in early autumn.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has also not ruled out entering the race.
Ms Connolly has secured backing from the Social Democrats and People Before Profit, with the Labour Party “very seriously” considering supporting her, reports Breaking News.
Left-wing independent Ms Connolly worked as a barrister and clinical psychologist before serving as a councillor for 17 years and spending a term as Galway mayor until 2005.
She resigned from the Labour Party in 2006 after being rejected as a running mate for then TD Michael D Higgins, reports Breaking News.
She was first elected to the Dáil as an independent for Galway West in 2016.
Speaking on Wednesday, she said she did not “fall out” with Labour and acknowledged that Labour and Sinn Féin were considering backing her, adding she already had support from more than 20 Oireachtas members.
When asked about campaign funding, she said the parties supporting her “were happy” to provide assistance, though details had yet to be finalized.
She was also questioned on her stance regarding the war in Ukraine – specifically about claims she did not applaud during Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s Dáil address in April 2022 and whether Ireland should send arms to Ukraine, reports Breaking News.
She said she had “criticised Russia many times” and was disheartened by the failure of diplomacy, but stressed that this does not excuse Russia.
She said she did applaud Mr Zelenskiy in April 2022 but noted some journalists felt her applause “did not go on long enough or was not strong enough,” reports Breaking News.
She added: “I want us to use our voice as a neutral country. I am very worried about the direction Europe, the US and other countries are going in. More war does not bring about peace, that is not the way. We’re a small country with a particular history and we should use that experience and influence, not just in relation to Russia, but in relation to Israel and Gaza too,” reports Breaking News.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
