{"id":113301,"date":"2025-10-10T12:06:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T12:06:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/113301\/"},"modified":"2025-10-10T12:06:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T12:06:10","slug":"connolly-and-humphreys-return-to-campaign-trail-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/113301\/","title":{"rendered":"Connolly and Humphreys return to campaign trail \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Main Points <\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"c-unordered-list \">\n<li class=\"c-list-item \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/tags\/catherine-connolly\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/tags\/catherine-connolly\/\">Catherine Connolly<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/tags\/heather-humphreys\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/tags\/heather-humphreys\/\">Heather Humphreys<\/a>\u00a0have returned to the campaign trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-list-item \">Yesterday they took part in their first one-on-one debate on RT\u00c9\u2019s Drivetime, with some heated exchanges <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-list-item \">Yesterday,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/tags\/catherine-connolly\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/tags\/catherine-connolly\/\">Catherine Connolly<\/a>\u00a0confirmed she used a taxpayer-funded allowance to fund a trip to Syria in 2018<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Key Reads<\/b>\u201cVery misogynistic\u201d: Humphreys criticises Joe Brolly video of presidential candidate performing sex act<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Heather Humphreys has criticised a \u201cmisogynistic\u201d video where commentator Joe Brolly did an impression of a presidential candidate performing a sex act.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Ms Humphreys said she would not allow it to set her back, Ellen Coyne <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/10\/10\/joe-brolly-video-depicting-sex-act-by-presidential-candidate-is-misogynistic-heather-humphreys-says\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/10\/10\/joe-brolly-video-depicting-sex-act-by-presidential-candidate-is-misogynistic-heather-humphreys-says\/\">reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cPeople can make up their own minds on this, but look, I\u2019m a strong woman, and I can tell you one thing, I\u2019m not going to let this set me back. And it was a misogynistic deed. And you know, women across the country have to deal with this type of abuse,\u201d she told South East Radio\u2019s Morning Mix with Alan Corcoran.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cBut I stand up for mn\u00e1 na h\u00c9ireann, and won\u2019t let this knock me back.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">In the clip, which was widely shared online on Thursday evening, Brolly appears to be impersonating a presidential candidate who is answering questions while performing a graphic depiction of a sex act.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The clip \u2013 originally posted and then deleted by the Free State podcast \u2013 was broadly assumed to be referring to Ms Humphreys.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">On Friday morning, Brolly issued a statement saying he was referring to the Fianna F\u00e1il candidate Jim Gavin when performing the impression.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">In a media engagement shortly afterwards, Ms Humphreys said that she felt the video was \u201cvery misogynistic\u201d and \u201cit was targeted at women.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">As we enter the final fortnight of presidential campaigning, reporter Sarah Burns visits Drimnagh Women\u2019s Shed in south Dublin to see how its members plan to vote.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Here\u2019s what they have to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/10\/10\/i-wasnt-going-to-vote-for-jim-gavin-what-would-a-footballer-know\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/10\/10\/i-wasnt-going-to-vote-for-jim-gavin-what-would-a-footballer-know\/\">say<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"From left: Christina Ryan, Mary Kennedy, Liz Maxwell and Esther Morrisey, all members of the Drimnagh Women&#x2019;s shed, taking part in an exercise class. Photograph: Dara Mac D&#xF3;naill\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/4R77FYLASZESZHVECMNGS3HMGA.jpg\"   width=\"800\" height=\"533\"\/>From left: Christina Ryan, Mary Kennedy, Liz Maxwell and Esther Morrisey, all members of the Drimnagh Women\u2019s shed, taking part in an exercise class. Photograph: Dara Mac D\u00f3naill <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Catherine Connolly has said she will \u201cuse the moral authority of the office\u201d to centre conversation around mental health if elected.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cI have met too many people who are waiting months, sometimes years, for mental health counselling or crisis support,\u201d read a statement from Ms Connolly\u2019s campaign team on World Mental Health Day. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cParents trying to find help for a child struggling with their mental health. Older people isolated and left behind. Young people feeling lost and unseen. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cBehind every one of these stories is heartbreak and frustration &#8211; and a system that is still not treating mental health with the urgency or priority it deserves.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Ms Connolly worked as a clinical psychologist in the 1980s.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The Independent presidential candidate outlined a number of commitments, including the promise to use the \u00c1ras to convene voices from across mental health services, support the development of community-based services and \u201ccall for a national campaign to end stigma\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Ella Sloane &#8211; 3 hours ago<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Catherine Connolly has said she will \u201cuse the moral authority of the office\u201d to centre conversation around mental health if elected.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cI have met too many people who are waiting months, sometimes years, for mental health counselling or crisis support,\u201d read a statement from Ms Connolly\u2019s campaign team on World Mental Health Day. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cParents trying to find help for a child struggling with their mental health. Older people isolated and left behind. Young people feeling lost and unseen. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cBehind every one of these stories is heartbreak and frustration &#8211; and a system that is still not treating mental health with the urgency or priority it deserves.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Ms Connolly worked as a clinical psychologist in the 1980s.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The Independent presidential candidate outlined a number of commitments, including the promise to use the \u00c1ras to convene voices from across mental health services, support the development of community-based services and \u201ccall for a national campaign to end stigma\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Ella Sloane &#8211; 4 hours ago<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Social media is a powerful tool in any election, and the \u00c1ras race is no different. This time around, the presidential election has had more than its fair share of online talking points.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">From Catherine Connolly\u2019s keepie-uppies, to a case of mistaken identity that saw Berlin\u2019s Reichstag confused for Belfast City Hall, here are the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/10\/10\/keepie-uppies-reichstag-gaffe-and-gaza-aras-contenders-fight-for-votes-on-social-media\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/10\/10\/keepie-uppies-reichstag-gaffe-and-gaza-aras-contenders-fight-for-votes-on-social-media\/\">highlights<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Social media is a powerful tool in any election, and the \u00c1ras race is no different. This time around, the presidential election has had more than its fair share of online talking-points.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">From Catherine Connolly\u2019s keepie-uppies, to a case of mistaken identity that saw Berlin\u2019s Reichstag confused for Belfast City Hall, here are the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/10\/10\/keepie-uppies-reichstag-gaffe-and-gaza-aras-contenders-fight-for-votes-on-social-media\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/10\/10\/keepie-uppies-reichstag-gaffe-and-gaza-aras-contenders-fight-for-votes-on-social-media\/\">highlights<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The campaign trail continues today. Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys will travel to Wexford, Waterford and Cork, while Independent Catherine Connolly is set for a day of canvassing in Tipperary. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Jim Gavin\u2019s decision to cease campaigning over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/10\/08\/jim-gavin-tenant-journalist-niall-donald-says-there-could-have-been-a-better-outcome\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/10\/08\/jim-gavin-tenant-journalist-niall-donald-says-there-could-have-been-a-better-outcome\/\">debt claims by a former tenant<\/a> has left Ms Humphreys and Ms Connolly battling it out alone.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The former GAA manager will, however, still appear on ballot papers on October 24th.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"Independent presidential candidate Catherine Connolly canvassing in Rathfarnham Village, Dublin. Photograph Nick Bradshaw\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/FITI6LIFSFG65CSTLQAUD4BJLQ.JPG\"   width=\"800\" height=\"533\"\/>Independent presidential candidate Catherine Connolly canvassing in Rathfarnham Village, Dublin. Photograph Nick Bradshaw <img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"Fine Gael presidential candidate Heather Humphreys at the National Ploughing&#xA0;Championships&#xA0;in Tullamore, Co Offaly. Photograph: Dan Dennison\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/5HBMPVZMEJCNFP5R2GLWNK22MQ.jpg\"   width=\"800\" height=\"533\"\/>Fine Gael presidential candidate Heather Humphreys at the National Ploughing\u00a0Championships\u00a0in Tullamore, Co Offaly. Photograph: Dan Dennison <\/p>\n<p>Ella Sloane &#8211; 4 hours ago<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The campaign trail continues today. Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys will travel to Wexford, Waterford and Cork, while Independent Catherine Connolly is set for a day of canvassing in Tipperary. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Jim Gavin\u2019s decision to cease campaigning over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/10\/08\/jim-gavin-tenant-journalist-niall-donald-says-there-could-have-been-a-better-outcome\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/10\/08\/jim-gavin-tenant-journalist-niall-donald-says-there-could-have-been-a-better-outcome\/\">debt claims by a former tenant<\/a> has left Ms Humphreys and Ms Connolly battling it out alone.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The former GAA manager will, however, still appear on ballot papers on October 24th.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Good morning. We will be bringing you the latest updates on the presidential race here this Friday, two weeks out from election day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Yesterday saw candidates Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys take part in their first one-on-one debate on RT\u00c9\u2019s Drivetime, with some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/10\/09\/candidates-clash-in-third-live-debate-as-campaign-becomes-more-confrontational\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/10\/09\/candidates-clash-in-third-live-debate-as-campaign-becomes-more-confrontational\/\">heated exchanges<\/a> between the pair.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">As the controversies of this election period unfold, my colleague Hugh Linehan reflects on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/10\/10\/presidential-election-a-short-history-of-presidential-controversies-and-kerfuffles\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/10\/10\/presidential-election-a-short-history-of-presidential-controversies-and-kerfuffles\/\">the scandals of presidents past<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Ella Sloane &#8211; 4 hours ago<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Good morning. We will be bringing you the latest updates on the presidential race here this Friday, two weeks out from election day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">Yesterday saw candidates Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys take part in their first one-on-one debate on RT\u00c9\u2019s Drivetime, with some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/10\/09\/candidates-clash-in-third-live-debate-as-campaign-becomes-more-confrontational\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/10\/09\/candidates-clash-in-third-live-debate-as-campaign-becomes-more-confrontational\/\">heated exchanges<\/a> between the pair.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free b-it-article-body__text--left\">As the controversies of this election period unfold, my colleague Hugh Linehan reflects on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/10\/10\/presidential-election-a-short-history-of-presidential-controversies-and-kerfuffles\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/politics\/2025\/10\/10\/presidential-election-a-short-history-of-presidential-controversies-and-kerfuffles\/\">the scandals of presidents past<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Main Points Catherine Connolly\u00a0and\u00a0Heather Humphreys\u00a0have returned to the campaign trail Yesterday they took part in their first one-on-one&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":113302,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[9,10,1921,18,13,14,4771,553,6,555,19,17,19487,9171,11,12,15,16,5765,5,59,7,8],"class_list":{"0":"post-113301","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ireland","8":"tag-breaking-news","9":"tag-breakingnews","10":"tag-catherine-connolly","11":"tag-eire","12":"tag-featured-news","13":"tag-featurednews","14":"tag-fianna-fail","15":"tag-fine-gael","16":"tag-headlines","17":"tag-heather-humphreys","18":"tag-ie","19":"tag-ireland","20":"tag-jim-gavin","21":"tag-labour-party","22":"tag-latest-news","23":"tag-latestnews","24":"tag-main-news","25":"tag-mainnews","26":"tag-micheal-martin","27":"tag-news","28":"tag-presidential-election","29":"tag-top-stories","30":"tag-topstories"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113301","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=113301"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113301\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/113302"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=113301"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=113301"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=113301"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}