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Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Catherine Connolly says she will seek to become Ireland's next president: ‘I was taken aback by the support I received'
The left-wing Galway West representative said she did not make the decision overnight and was doubtful enough about the move, but was convinced by the correspondence she got from people asking her to run. She outlined the reasons why she decided to run and her vision for the presidency while speaking on RTE Raidio na Gaeltachta's programme Adhmhaidin. '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. She said she was independent, was '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.' On Tuesday, Mairead McGuinness became the first official nominee in the presidential race to replace Michael D Higgins after his term comes to an end in the autumn. Ms McGuinness, who was a TV presenter and farming journalist before becoming an MEP and EU commissioner, is the nominee to become Fine Gael's presidential candidate. Prospective candidates need the support of 20 Oireachtas members to get on the ballot paper. Fianna Fail, the party with the most TDs in the Dail, has not clarified if it will run a candidate and is to make a decision in the early autumn. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has also refused to rule herself out of the running. ADVERTISEMENT Ms Connolly has received the backing of the Social Democrats and People Before Profit, with the Labour Party to 'very seriously' consider backing her. Left-wing independent Ms Connolly worked as a barrister and a clinical psychologist before becoming a councillor for 17 years and spending a term as Galway mayor until 2005. She resigned from the Labour Party in 2006 after being turned down to be a running mate of then incumbent TD Michael D Higgins. She was first elected to the Dail as an independent candidate for Galway West in 2016. Speaking on Wednesday, she said she did not 'fall out' with the Labour Party and said she understood that Labour and Sinn Fein were considering support her, adding she already had the support of more than 20 Oireachtas members. Asked about who would pay for her campaign, she said the parties that have backed her 'were happy' to give her any support she needs, but the details had not yet been worked out. She was also asked about her stance on the war in Ukraine – about the suggestion that she did not clap during Volodymyr Zelensky's address to the Dail in April 2022 and whether Ukraine should be sent arms by other countries. She said she had criticised Russia 'many times' and was despondent about the failure of diplomacy in relation to the conflict, but that does not give Russia 'any excuse'. She said she did clap for Mr Zelensky in April 2022 but said some journalists reckoned her applause 'did not go on long enough or was not strong enough'. 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.'
The Journal
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Galway independent TD Catherine Connolly makes it official and declares Áras run
LAST UPDATE | 19 mins ago GALWAY INDEPENDENT TD Catherine Connolly has officially launched her campaign for the presidency today, confirming her bid on Raidió Na Gaeltachta this morning. Connolly is the second official candidate in the race for the Áras after Fine Gael confirmed yesterday that former European Commissioner and MEP Mairead McGuinness would run under the party's banner . She is set to make an appearance at a press conference at Leinster House later today. Connolly confirmed her candidacy on the Adhmhaidin programme this morning, adding that it was a very difficult decision to make and questioned her capabilities at first. She said, however, that she has received many emails from supporters asking her to stand over the last year and a half. Advertisement Connolly also has the backing of the Social Democrats, People Before Profit TDs and a number of independent TDs. She told the programme that both parties have confirmed that they are willing to give her their support, but exact details around how the groups will assist in the campaign have yet to be ironed out. A candidate needs the backing of 20 Oireachtas members (TDs or senators) in order to get on the ballot paper. Politicians from a raft of Dáil parties and groupings were out having their say on the presidential race at Leinster House yesterday. Connolly's former party, Labour, is yet to decide whether it will back her or go another way. 'We will have a very frank and detailed conversation with Catherine and then a decision will be made,' Labour's Marie Sherlock said yesterday ahead of a planned meeting with the TD. This is a breaking story with more information to follow. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Catherine Connolly says she will seek to become Ireland's next president
Independent TD Catherine Connolly has said she will seek to become the next Irish president. The left-wing Galway West representative said she did not make the decision overnight and was doubtful enough about the move, but was convinced by the correspondence she got from people asking her to run. She outlined the reasons why she decided to run and her vision for the presidency while speaking on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta's programme Adhmhaidin. '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. She said she was independent, was '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.' On Tuesday, Mairéad McGuinness became the first official nominee in the presidential race to replace Michael D Higgins after his term comes to an end in the autumn. Ms McGuinness, who was a TV presenter and farming journalist before becoming an MEP and EU commissioner, is the nominee to become Fine Gael's presidential candidate. Prospective candidates need the support of 20 Oireachtas members to get on the ballot paper. Fianna Fáil, the party with the most TDs in the Dail, has not clarified if it will run a candidate and is to make a decision in the early autumn. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has also refused to rule herself out of the running. Ms Connolly has received the backing of the Social Democrats and People Before Profit, with the Labour Party to 'very seriously' consider backing her. Left-wing independent Ms Connolly worked as a barrister and a clinical psychologist before becoming a councillor for 17 years and spending a term as Galway mayor until 2005. She resigned from the Labour Party in 2006 after being turned down to be a running mate of then incumbent TD Michael D Higgins. She was first elected to the Dail as an independent candidate for Galway West in 2016. Speaking on Wednesday, she said she did not 'fall out' with the Labour Party and said she understood that Labour and Sinn Féin were considering support her, adding she already had the support of more than 20 Oireachtas members. Asked about who would pay for her campaign, she said the parties that have backed her 'were happy' to give her any support she needs, but the details had not yet been worked out. She was also asked about her stance on the war in Ukraine — about the suggestion that she did not clap during Volodymyr Zelenskyy's address to the Dail in April 2022 and whether Ukraine should be sent arms by other countries. She said she had criticised Russia 'many times' and was despondent about the failure of diplomacy in relation to the conflict, but that does not give Russia 'any excuse'. She said she did clap for Mr Zelensky in April 2022 but said some journalists reckoned her applause 'did not go on long enough or was not strong enough'. 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.' Read More Tánaiste to meet pharma reps as Government prepares for potential trade war
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Catherine Connolly says she will seek to become Ireland's next president
Independent TD Catherine Connolly has said she will seek to become the next Irish president. The left-wing Galway West representative said she did not make the decision overnight and was doubtful enough about the move, but was convinced by the correspondence she got from people asking her to run. She outlined the reasons why she decided to run and her vision for the presidency while speaking on RTE Raidio na Gaeltachta's programme Adhmhaidin. "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. She said she was independent, was "not afraid to speak out" and outlined her vision for the role. Independent TD Catherine Connolly, Leas Cheann Comhairle 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." On Tuesday, Mairead McGuinness became the first official nominee in the presidential race to replace Michael D Higgins after his term comes to an end in the autumn. Ms McGuinness, who was a TV presenter and farming journalist before becoming an MEP and EU commissioner, is the nominee to become Fine Gael's presidential candidate. Prospective candidates need the support of 20 Oireachtas members to get on the ballot paper. Fianna Fail, the party with the most TDs in the Dail, has not clarified if it will run a candidate and is to make a decision in the early autumn. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has also refused to rule herself out of the running. Mary Lou McDonald. (Image: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin) Ms Connolly has received the backing of the Social Democrats and People Before Profit, with the Labour Party to "very seriously" consider backing her. Left-wing independent Ms Connolly worked as a barrister and a clinical psychologist before becoming a councillor for 17 years and spending a term as Galway mayor until 2005. She resigned from the Labour Party in 2006 after being turned down to be a running mate of then-incumbent TD Michael D Higgins. She was first elected to the Dail as an independent candidate for Galway West in 2016. Speaking on Wednesday, she said she did not "fall out" with the Labour Party and said she understood that Labour and Sinn Fein were considering supporting her, adding she already had the support of more than 20 Oireachtas members. Asked about who would pay for her campaign, she said the parties that have backed her "were happy" to give her any support she needs, but the details had not yet been worked out. She was also asked about her stance on the war in Ukraine – about the suggestion that she did not clap during Volodymyr Zelensky's address to the Dail in April 2022 and whether Ukraine should be sent arms by other countries. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. (Image: Getty Images) She said she had criticised Russia "many times" and was despondent about the failure of diplomacy in relation to the conflict, but that does not give Russia "any excuse". She said she did clap for Mr Zelensky in April 2022 but said some journalists reckoned her applause "did not go on long enough or was not strong enough". 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." Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
