Louise Burne: Fine Gael had a respectable candidate — but not a good campaign

Fine Gael must accept that it did not give Heather Humphreys the chance she deserved, writes Louise Burne

Heather Humphreys makes her concession speech after Catherine Connolly was named as the new President of Ireland at St Patrick's Hall, Dublin Castle. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

As Catherine Connolly stood in St Patrick’s Hall waiting to be confirmed as the winner of the presidential election, Heather Humphreys stood amongst Fine Gael politicians who had come to support her.

There had been questions during the election about where some of these prominent ministers and politicians had been. At least they were here now.