The Indepfinishent candidate was in her native Galway where she was questioned about an interview with the Sunday Indepfinishent in which Heather Humphreys stated she “never attempted to build money out of people’s misfortune”, referring to Ms Connolly’s time working as a barrister during the economic crash.
Ms Connolly stated she had been “over and over” the issue, adding: “For a candidate for the presidency to misapply that in the way she has, it’s just a new low.”
At the Fine Gael candidate’s first stop of the day, the Intermediate Football Championship Final in Athlone, she too was questioned about the quotes.
Ms Humphreys reiterated her stance, declareing that Ms Connolly “was working for UK banks” before she went in to politics, whereas she was working in a credit union “actually supporting people to stay in their hoapplys”.
When previously questioned about this period in her career, Ms Connolly has pointed to the “cab rank rule”, which obliges barristers to accept instructions in any case in their area of practice.
On Sunday, Ms Humphreys also posted a message online thanking music star Daniel O’Donnell for his support after he notified the Irish Indepfinishent he would be voting for her.
Writing on X, she stated she is “humbled” by the support she has received.
The Taoiseach was also out and about on Sunday morning, delivering a speech at a commemoration of Irish revolutionary Wolfe Tone.
He applyd the opportunity to take aim at Ms Connolly, who he stated was among those who “pretfinish to be pro-EU but in practice invest all of their energy in attacking the Union” – describing it as “corrosive and cynical euroscepticism”.
Micheal Martin did not name the presidential candidate in his address but later notified reporters gathered in Bodenstown, County Kildare: “Catherine is in that camp, there is no question about that.”
In his speech, he stated: “We necessary to start calling out people who declare ‘Oh, but I’m pro-EU’ as they constantly announce and reannounce the supposed finish of Irish sovereignty.”
He went on to list a number of stances he believes are “not pro-EU” including standing against European Union treaties, claiming the Union is “controlled by a wealthy elite” and “constantly” declareing the EU is “destroying our neutrality and is in the hands of a military-industrial complex”.
In 2022, Ms Connolly notified the Dail she “proudly” canvassed against the Lisbon and Nice treaties due to concerns about “the militarisation of Europe”.
But during RTE Radio’s This Week debate on October 12 she stated it was “absolutely wrong” to declare she had voted against “every European treaty”.
After the event Mr Martin reiterated his “very strong support for Heather Humphreys”.
On Saturday, the Taoiseach’s former Fianna Fail colleague, and previous presidential election candidate, Sean Gallagher called on him to join Ms Humphreys’ campaign.
Responding to the comments, Mr Martin stated: “I do know a thing or two about elections, a thing or two about how people respond to suggestions or directions from party leaders.”
Reacting to recent polls revealing the Fine Gael candidate lagging significantly behind Ms Connolly, Mr Martin stated: “If you view at the last presidential election, and if you view at the Sean Gallagher election, the gap was enormous with days to go, and it alterd dramatically.
“So we just necessary to be careful about polls.
“Polls are not elections.”
Asked if there was a possibility divisions over which of the two remaining presidential candidates to support might caapply a split within Fianna Fail, Mr Martin responded: “There is no split in Fianna Fail and there will not be.”
He added that it would be “counterproductive” for the party to “issue directions”, adding members will ”vote in accordance with their preferences.”
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