Presidential debate: Connolly did not know she would be meeting pro-Assad militia leader on Syria visit

Catherine Connolly was pictured in the same group as Saed Abd Al-Aal, who led a pro-Assad armed group in Yarmouk, when she visited Syria in 2018

Race for the Áras: Fine Gael's candidate Heather Humphreys (left) and independent candidate Catherine Connolly. Picture: Conor O'Mearain/PA Wire

Catherine Connolly has said that she did not know she would be meeting a pro-Assad militia leader when she visited Syria in 2018.

Ms Connolly was pictured in the same group as Saed Abd Al-Aal, who led a pro-Assad armed group in Yarmouk.