Paul Hosford: Eamon Ó Cuív's defence over hiring of ex-prisoner speaks to his belief in rehabilitation

Eamon Ó Cuív’s defence of Catherine Connolly highlights not just a row about judgement — but Fianna Fáil’s deep divisions

Former Fianna Fáil minister Éamon Ó Cuiv said Ursula Ní Shionnáin was an example of rehabilitation. File Picture: Richard Mills

As word emerged that independent TD Catherine Connolly had employed a woman who had been sentenced in 2014 for firearms offences, political parties across the board weighed up how to respond.

Ursula Ní Shionnáin, who at the time of her conviction was a member of Éirigí, was in 2014 sentenced to six years in prison at the Special Criminal Court for unlawful possession of firearms and possession of ammunition. She served four-and-a-half years of her sentence and was released in 2018.