Catherine Connolly accuses Heather Humphreys of using 'politics of fear' in heated debate

Heather Humphreys (left) and Catherine Connolly (right) with RTE presenter David McCullagh.

Catherine Connolly has accused Heather Humphreys of using the “politics of fear” against her, but the Fine Gael candidate rejected accusations of a smear campaign.

In a presidential debate on RTÉ’s This Week, Ms Humphreys criticised Ms Connolly for not speaking out strongly enough against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

Ms Humphreys cited Ms Connolly’s alignment with former MEPs Clare Daly and Mick Wallace.

The Fine Gael candidate said there was a “real fear” that if Russia completed its aims in Ukraine, the country would move to invade other countries in eastern Europe.

Ms Connolly rejected the accusations, saying she was “on record repeatedly for condemning Russia”.

“This is the politics of fear and allegations made that are utterly without substance,” Ms Connolly said.

“We have the politics of smear, of making allegations that are unfounded without having any substantive debate on the issues.” 

Her comments come after commentator and former Fine Gael minister Ivan Yates said if he was running the Humphreys campaign he would “smear the bejaysus out of” Ms Connolly.

Ms Humphreys accused Ms Connolly of “insulting” Ireland’s allies, including Germany, France, the US and the UK.

“That doesn’t go without consequences,” Ms Humphreys said.

“If you’re a president of this country, you have to meet other leaders and other heads of state, and how are you going to speak to them? How are you going to talk to them?” 

Responding, Ms Connolly said Ms Humphreys was “inaccurate” and she criticised France, the UK and the US due to their arms industry.

Speaking after the conclusion of the debate, Ms Connolly said she believed Fine Gael were worried about her campaign.

“There were so many things said there that I’ve insulted people. I don’t recall ever insulting anybody in my life,” Ms Connolly added.

The debate also returned to Ms Connolly’s hiring of a woman who was previously jailed for a firearms offence, with Ms Humphreys calling on her to answer questions.

Ms Connolly said allegations were being made against her that were inaccurate.

She said Ursula Ní Shionnain was signed into the Dáil every day by her, and this was in accordance with the rules.

“This is a woman who served her term in prison, this is a success story,” Ms Connolly said.

Speaking after the conclusion of the debate, Ms Connolly said she believed Fine Gael was worried about her campaign.

“They’re going down the road of throwing as much as they can. They’re not looking at whether those questions are based on any reality or substance,” Ms Connolly said.

However, Ms Humphreys rejected assertions she was involved in a smear campaign, saying she has not listened to Mr Yates.

Pressed on this, given her combative approach to the debate, Ms Humphreys said there were “legitimate questions” to be asked of Ms Connolly.

“You’re entitled to be asked these questions about your judgement and Catherine’s entitled to be asked them and I’m not doing in in a nasty way. They’re very plain, simple questions.”