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ELECTION: TOP STORIES

<p> Despite good work by RTÉ Prime Time hosts Sarah McInerney and Miriam O'Callaghan, the supposed debate between presidential hopefuls Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys was more like two parallel interviews. Picture: Naoise Culhane</p>

comment-analysis

Louise Burne: Final 'debate' was more like two interviews

As one Fine Gael source argued this week, the presidential election process was not designed for just two people — and the 'Prime Time' debate provided ample proof of this

<p>Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys greeting each other ahead of the final presidential election debate on 'Prime Time' on Tuesday night. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews</p>

politics

Race to the Áras: Humphreys and Connolly decry Citywest violence during final debate

<p>It would be ludicrous to interpret their provision of legal services as somehow constituting an endorsement of behaviour. Picture: iStock</p>

comment-analysis

We shouldn't take the cab rank rule for granted in Ireland's justice system

Irish presidential election

politics

Heather Humphreys appears to row back on comments about Catherine Connolly's work

Heather Humphreys and Simon Harris on jones road ahead of the match 18/10/2025

politics

Heather Humphreys was excused from vote on inquiry into the death of Shane O'Farrell

Irish presidential election

politics

ieExplains: What happens if Jim Gavin wins the presidency after dropping out?

Election: Helping You Decide

voting

Presidential election: Can't decide who to vote for? This tool will help

The University of Limerick's WhichCandidate.ie is back to help inform people ahead of polling day on October 24

ELECTION: RESULTS

FULL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2025 RESULTS HUB HERE

Election: Analysis

Louise Burne: Final 'debate' was more like two interviews

Louise Burne: Final 'debate' was more like two interviews

As one Fine Gael source argued this week, the presidential election process was not designed for just two people — and the 'Prime Time' debate provided ample proof of this

Law scale rules regulations

We shouldn't take the cab rank rule for granted in Ireland's justice system

A Mural of Independent Presidential Candidate Catherine Connolly by artist Emmalene Blake on South Dock Road, Dublin.

Mick Clifford: Connolly bank case row shows how outrage depends on who’s in the firing line

Fergus Finlay: Is the 'spoil your vote' campaign loony or something more sinister?

S Fergus Finlay: Is the 'spoil your vote' campaign loony or something more sinister?

ELECTION: MORE

The Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast: Tensions rise ahead of final presidential debate

The Deirdre O’Shaughnessy Podcast: Tensions rise ahead of final presidential debate

Experts say tonight’s Prime Time debate could still sway voters as the presidential campaign enters its final, heated stage

Listen | Tue, 21 Oct, 2025

Irish presidential election

Leadership X-ray? Why presidential debates reveal less than you think

Presidential candidates can’t win elections with one debate, but they can lose them with a bad one, writes behavioural scientist Nuala Walsh ahead of the final debate between Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025

Irish presidential election 2025

'I never evicted anyone' says Humphreys as candidates clash over their previous jobs

Fine Gael candidate defends her credit union role amid Fine Gael attacks on Catherine Connolly for not disclosing that she had worked for financial institutions

Mon, 20 Oct, 2025

FG members echo Connolly challenge — but some express disquiet: 'Video made a balls of it'

FG members echo Connolly challenge — but some express disquiet: 'Video made a balls of it'

Senior Fine Gael politicians who also work as lawyers insist that they never represented banks

Mon, 20 Oct, 2025

Paul Hosford: Fine Gael's US-style attack video may be a new departure in Irish politics

Paul Hosford: Fine Gael's US-style attack video may be a new departure in Irish politics

The clip uses quotes without context: Catherine Connolly's remarks about banks came during the tracker mortgage scandal in 2017, and were echoed across the political spectrum

Mon, 20 Oct, 2025

Irish presidential election

'Fine Gael are terrified,' says Connolly as Humphreys accuses her of 'double standards'

Ms Connolly said: 'That they would resort to such tactics just reflects on their terror and their fear of the change in Ireland and they're utterly out of touch.'

Mon, 20 Oct, 2025

Fianna Fáil minister stands up for lawyers amid criticism of Catherine Connolly

Fianna Fáil minister stands up for lawyers amid criticism of Catherine Connolly

The justice minister Jim O’Callaghan said: 'Just because a lawyer takes on a case for a client doesn't mean that the lawyer is endorsing the behaviour or opinions of that client.'

Mon, 20 Oct, 2025

Race for the Áras heats up with just days to go before polling

Race for the Áras heats up with just days to go before polling

Fine Gael steps up attacks on Catherine Connolly ahead of candidates' final media debate on Tuesday's 'Prime Time'

Mon, 20 Oct, 2025

Is this presidential contest Ireland's 'first podcast election'?

Is this presidential contest Ireland's 'first podcast election'?

Catherine Connolly and Donald Trump don't have much in common ideologically, but both their campaigns have focused heavily on podcasts, with a different style to traditional media interviews

Mon, 20 Oct, 2025

Éamon Ó Cuív coy on Dáil run in Galway West if Catherine Connolly wins race for the Áras

Éamon Ó Cuív coy on Dáil run in Galway West if Catherine Connolly wins race for the Áras

When asked about a potential run, the Fianna Fáil stalwart replied: 'Never make a decision what to do at the next crossroads until you get there'

Sun, 19 Oct, 2025

Irish presidential election

Catherine Connolly says comments by Heather Humphreys ‘a new low’

Ms Humphreys reiterated her stance, saying Ms Connolly 'was working for UK banks' before she went in to politics

Sun, 19 Oct, 2025

Irish presidential election

Louise Burne: Connolly is still the election favourite — but don’t write off Humphreys yet

Despite complaints about the repetitiveness of media debates, you can't rule out one of the candidates being dealt a fatal blow during Tuesday's 'Prime Time' showdown

Sun, 19 Oct, 2025

Mick Clifford: Catherine Connolly’s likely win signals a shift in Ireland’s political landscape

Mick Clifford: Catherine Connolly’s likely win signals a shift in Ireland’s political landscape

Catherine Connolly’s likely election as president marks not just a personal triumph, but a turning point in Ireland’s anti-establishment politics

Sun, 19 Oct, 2025

Micheál Martin says presidential candidate Catherine Connolly is 'in the camp' against EU

Micheál Martin says presidential candidate Catherine Connolly is 'in the camp' against EU

Taoiseach says public needs to to stand up against 'those who pretend to be pro-EU but in practice invest all of their energy in attacking the Union'

Sun, 19 Oct, 2025

Irish presidential election

Enoch Burke confronts presidential candidate Catherine Connolly during Limerick city canvass

Teacher Enoch Burke confronted presidential candidate Catherine Connolly during a campaign event in Limerick city

Sat, 18 Oct, 2025

Irish presidential election

Race to the Áras: Catherine Connolly’s to lose — but Heather Humphreys isn’t done fighting yet

With polls showing Catherine Connolly ahead, Heather Humphreys faces a crucial Prime Time debate that could define Ireland’s presidential election

Sat, 18 Oct, 2025

Paul Hosford: Politicians should be able to question the use of the Special Criminal Court

Paul Hosford: Politicians should be able to question the use of the Special Criminal Court

The current version of the Special Criminal Court was introduced in 1972 as an emergency response to the Troubles and has been in continuous operation ever since, mainly for gangland cases in recent years. But it is not beyond critique, writes Paul Hosford

Sat, 18 Oct, 2025

Tánaiste urges middle Ireland to 'lend' vote to Heather Humphreys

Tánaiste urges middle Ireland to 'lend' vote to Heather Humphreys

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris has rejected the idea that his party's presidential candidate cannot win the presidential election

Fri, 17 Oct, 2025

Irish Children's Referendum

Theresa Reidy: Presidential election fallout leaves many 'what ifs'

The race for the Áras has seen political judgements questioned and party leaders scrutinised

Fri, 17 Oct, 2025

Irish presidential election

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

Fri, 17 Oct, 2025

Catherine Connolly urges supporters to use their vote, as 'polls don't win elections'

Catherine Connolly urges supporters to use their vote, as 'polls don't win elections'

Ms Connolly was speaking at a panel discussion, which focused on human rights for disabled people and carers

Thu, 16 Oct, 2025

Humphreys takes legal advice as Paul Murphy launches defamation case over debate remarks

Humphreys takes legal advice as Paul Murphy launches defamation case over debate remarks

Paul Murphy has filed High Court proceedings against Heather Humphreys, alleging defamation over remarks made during an RTÉ debate

Thu, 16 Oct, 2025

Irish presidential election

Paul Hosford: Poll puts Connolly on top as presidential race heads into final week

The last seven days of this race will be crucial for both sides

Thu, 16 Oct, 2025

Irish presidential election

'I was the braver person' to drop controversial paper on disability reforms, says Heather Humphreys

The green paper, published by then social protection minister Ms Humphreys, included proposed changes to disability payments, with the establishment of a three-tiered system

Thu, 16 Oct, 2025

Irish presidential election

Connolly takes commanding lead over Humphreys in presidential race, new poll shows

Independent candidate Catherine Connolly holds a strong lead just over a week before polling day

Thu, 16 Oct, 2025

Fianna Fáil appoints panel to review botched Jim Gavin presidential election bid

Fianna Fáil appoints panel to review botched Jim Gavin presidential election bid

Tom Brabazon, Eamon Scanlon, Margaret Murphy O’Connor, and chairman Ciaran O’Loughlin SC will bring specific proposals back to the party by November 12

Wed, 15 Oct, 2025

Irish presidential election

Catherine Connolly says her presidential election campaign has Fine Gael ‘very worried’

Left-wing Independent TD said: 'This movement is gaining momentum with every day, every minute, every hour'

Wed, 15 Oct, 2025

Heather Humphreys rules out Dáil return if she loses presidential election

Heather Humphreys rules out Dáil return if she loses presidential election

Presidential hopeful Heather Humphreys says her bid for the Áras is her final political act, ruling out a Dáil return

Wed, 15 Oct, 2025

Irish presidential election

Paul Hosford: Strange choices during Heather Humphreys' last-ever political campaign

Fine Gael presidential candidate had just two engagements on Wednesday, in one of which she addressed a transition year class about a tricolour campaign she launched when they were aged about 5 or 6

Wed, 15 Oct, 2025

Louise Burne: Harvey’s grieving family deserve better than parties going through the motions

Louise Burne: Harvey’s grieving family deserve better than parties going through the motions

Aontú's motion of no confidence in the Tánaiste, and the Government's own confidence motion designed to forestall it, achieve precisely zero for children with spinal issues

Wed, 15 Oct, 2025

The Tonight Show Presidential Debate hosted by Virgin Media Television

Richard Hogan: There's more to life than the presidential race — especially for the candidates

For a political race that really has no power at the end of a potentially life-altering, chaotic pursuit, one would be wise to wonder, why bother?

Wed, 15 Oct, 2025

Irish presidential election

Heather Humphreys confirms she attended an event which is being investigated by gardaí

Presidential candidate said gardaí stated 'there was absolutely no wrongdoing on behalf of anybody that attended that event'

Wed, 15 Oct, 2025

Irish presidential election 2025

Sarah Harte: Our presidential contest illustrates just how far Irish women have come

They couldn't be more different, but Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys were both born into an Ireland that was downright hostile to women

Wed, 15 Oct, 2025

Irish presidential election

Constant stream of presidential debates beginning to feel like 'Groundhog Day'

Last year's general election saw just two broadcast debates. The presidential election has already seen five debates, and there's over a week to go

Tue, 14 Oct, 2025

Busy day for presidential candidates on the campaign trail

Busy day for presidential candidates on the campaign trail

Catherine Connolly was whisked around Kildare, while Heather Humphreys focused on Dublin city centre.

Tue, 14 Oct, 2025

Irish presidential election

Heather Humphreys stands over comments about Paul Murphy despite threat of legal action

The People Before Profit TD has formally sent a legal letter to the presidential candidate

Tue, 14 Oct, 2025

Irish presidential election

Heather Humphreys again denies political interference in animal cruelty case

Ms Humphreys said a case in which she received a letter from a family member of a farmer had been 'well aired', and she passed the letter on to the Department of Agriculture without comment or a covering letter

Tue, 14 Oct, 2025

Family of Shane O'Farrell reject that Heather Humpreys did 'all she could' to advocate for him

Family of Shane O'Farrell reject that Heather Humpreys did 'all she could' to advocate for him

The 23-year-old cyclist died in August 2011

Tue, 14 Oct, 2025

Irish presidential election

Fine Gael eyes centre-left as accusations of smear campaign gather momentum

Fine Gael now faces a key challenge in the days ahead, as a narrative grows that it is engaging in a smear campaign

Mon, 13 Oct, 2025

Paul Murphy threatens legal action over Heather Humphreys' 'grossly defamatory' remarks

Paul Murphy threatens legal action over Heather Humphreys' 'grossly defamatory' remarks

The People Before Profit TD has formally sent a legal letter to the presidential candidate

Mon, 13 Oct, 2025

Catherine Connolly accuses Fine Gael of 'engendering a negative campaign'

Catherine Connolly accuses Fine Gael of 'engendering a negative campaign'

Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys over the weekend distanced herself from the party's former minister Ivan Yates, following comments he made on a podcast

Mon, 13 Oct, 2025

Heather Humphreys sticks with her portrayal of Catherine Connolly as a far-left politician

Heather Humphreys sticks with her portrayal of Catherine Connolly as a far-left politician

This led to Ms Connolly accusing the Fine Gael candidate of using 'the politics of fear' and 'the politics of smear'

Mon, 13 Oct, 2025

Let's stop putting employment barriers in front of people with criminal convictions

Let's stop putting employment barriers in front of people with criminal convictions

Understanding Garda vetting — what it is and what it isn't — is one of the first steps we must take towards rehabilitating those of us who have made mistakes

Mon, 13 Oct, 2025

Irish presidential election

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

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

Sun, 12 Oct, 2025

Running for president in Ireland? Prepare to have your past — and your sanity — tested

Running for president in Ireland? Prepare to have your past — and your sanity — tested

Running for the presidency can turn from an honour into an ordeal, where every past misstep is exhumed and magnified beyond recognition

Sat, 11 Oct, 2025

Irish presidential election

Fianna Fáil’s campaign chaos exposed the cracks long hidden in Micheál Martin’s leadership

Jim Gavin’s abrupt exit from the presidential race has left Fianna Fáil reeling — and Micheál Martin’s leadership looking shakier than ever

Sat, 11 Oct, 2025

Irish presidential election

Theresa Reidy: Three reasons for the brutality of presidential elections

are tests of human endurance and discipline. Uniquely in the Irish electoral landscape, candidates are subjected to the most intense and invasive scrutiny of every aspect of their lives. There are three reasons for this.

Sat, 11 Oct, 2025

Joe Brolly attends the game 17/3/2024

Heather Humphreys hits out at Joe Brolly's 'misogynistic' gesture

'I will stand up for mná na hÉireann against that type of intimidation,' candidate says as podcaster apologises for 'childish, crude, and inappropriate gesture'

Fri, 10 Oct, 2025

Jim Gavin repays €3,300 owed to tenant

Jim Gavin repays €3,300 owed to tenant

A source close to the former tenant, Niall Donald, confirmed Mr Gavin had repaid him the €3,300

Fri, 10 Oct, 2025

Heather Humphreys and Catherine Connolly on hopes, fears, and daily routines

Heather Humphreys and Catherine Connolly on hopes, fears, and daily routines

Getting to know more about our two presidential candidates with questions about everything from morning routines and earliest memories to biggest fears

Fri, 10 Oct, 2025

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