Humphreys Accuses Connolly of Double Standards in Debate for Presidency

UPDATE: Tensions escalate in the race for the Irish presidency as Heather Humphreys has accused rival Catherine Connolly of “double standards” regarding her past work as a barrister for financial institutions. This fiery exchange comes just days before the pivotal polling day on July 7, 2023.

In a sharp rebuttal, Humphreys, representing Fine Gael, emphasized that during her tenure at a credit union, “no one lost their home.” This statement directly counters criticisms leveled at Connolly, who has been leading in recent opinion polls. “Catherine, I’m sure, is a fine barrister… But the point is she stood up in Galway City Council and absolutely castigated the banks,” Humphreys stated while canvassing in Gorey, Co Wexford.

The clash intensified following Humphreys’ comments to the Sunday Independent, where she accused Connolly of profiting from people’s misfortunes during the economic crash. Connolly, who is an independent left-wing candidate, expressed her disappointment that the campaign narrative has shifted away from visionary discussions to personal attacks. “Fine Gael are absolutely terrified,” she claimed.

Humphreys’ remarks have fueled a heated debate over the ethical obligations of barristers. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan defended the “cab-rank rule,” which obligates barristers to represent clients without discrimination. Meanwhile, Humphreys maintained that her role was about helping people retain their homes, contrasting sharply with Connolly’s past representation of UK banks that faced public scrutiny.

“It’s about the character of the person and I think it’s important that those questions are answered,” Humphreys asserted.

As the clock ticks down to the election, the war of words has drawn in various political figures. Labour leader Ivana Bacik condemned the attacks as a “new level of nasty,” while Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns labeled the video targeting Connolly a “Trumpian” tactic, suggesting it reflects Fine Gael’s panic.

On the other hand, Fine Gael Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill challenged Connolly’s transparency, questioning why she did not declare her prior work for financial institutions during discussions about repossessions in the Dail. “Why did she not disclose it?” MacNeill demanded.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald weighed in on the escalating tensions, framing the upcoming election as a choice between Connolly, a “champion for human rights,” and Humphreys, whom she described as an “echo chamber for government.”

With opinion polls favoring Connolly, the pressure is mounting for both candidates as they navigate these intense accusations just days before voters head to the polls. The outcome remains uncertain, but the urgency is clear: every vote counts in this pivotal election.

As campaigning continues, the focus now shifts to the electorate, with both candidates urging supporters to turn out on polling day. The next few days will be crucial as the political landscape in Ireland braces for a possible shift following the election on July 7.