Presidential Election 2025

Got my facts wrong there so, I had read something about him and the OO in the past. It must have been his familial ties to them.

Point still stands, I abhor the OO and what they represent but HH's husband being a member wouldn't automatically rule her out in my voting considerations.

I would be the opposite, not that I support the OO. But HH becomes an example of how those raised in another religion, have now entered the fold in Ireland. And it would be a sign to the moderates of the OO.

To be honest if I discounted HH on the basis of familial religious organisations/links I would be just as bigoted and sectarian as the hardliners in the OO.

When the Protestant President of Ireland died (Douglas Hyde) Dev and his cabinet had to wait outside. As the Catholic Church rules at the time prevented Catholics attending non-Catholic churches.Thankfully it has changed.

I think it is about time people moved beyond that Sectarian stuff. Most don’t go to mass these days anyway. And I don’t see it as impediment on HH becoming President. More of a positive in it’s uniqueness/symbolism.

I agree fully with you. Ireland is moving on from sectarianism. HH being elected would be reflective of that.

All the controversy about what HH's husband did or did not do , or perhaps still does, in some of his spare time should be of no consequence as long as it is legal. The OO is just as legal as the Catholic church is it not? If HH did not say she was a "proud republican" there is no way she could even stand as a Presidental candidate. The flag may be green white and gold, but you are only allowed stand for election if you have green attitudes / sympathies, it seems.

Did anybody listen to Anton savage this morning? This story about Heather Humphreys was discussed. First commentator they had was Eoin O'Broin who said he has no problem that Humphreys was at orange order parades in the past, he said he was at some himself when living in Belfast (he acknowledged they were awful things that he didn't agree). He also pointed out immediately that her husband isn't running for president and as an ulster protestant he was far more likely than not to be a member of some loyal order.

He also commented that while he wouldn't agree with them, the loyal orders or whatever they're called are important elements of unionist culture and should retain a place for unionists if we had a united ireland.

I don't like sinn fein, I don't vote sinn fein, I can't see a time where I ever would vote sinn fein. But this was decent grown up analysis from a senior sinn fein member and is good to see. It looks like the mail are trying to make a story out of something that isn't there.

We've our wires crossed here, what I'm saying is that HH's tenous association with the OO is no different to that of Neal Richmond. And that didn't have any bearing on Richmond being a TD as it should also not have any on HH running for president. Any tenous links she has with the OO are just an excuse for the media to put some ink on paper. Both her and Richmond now support a UI which is a great sign.

building houses?

https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025/09/14/heather-humphreys-pledges-to-learn-irish-11-years-after-pledge-to-learn-irish/

This article touched on that a bit, the fact that she acknowledged her shortcomings on the Irish language as minister pledging to improve but did absolutely nothing in 11 years is a tough one to defend.

We all know what Ulster Unionists think of the Irish language and she could easily have dispelled such suspicions by simply following the promises she made. The fact that she not only didn't keep that promise but also had the neck to promise it again shows an unfortunate level of disregard and contempt.

What 'lie' is she telling?

The fact that her husband was in the OO decades ago has been public knowledge for years.
So again, what lie has she told?

Yes, I was impressed with his take on it.

I think he knows that there will be scumbag elements using this to try and create sectarian division, and whatever you say about EoB, he is not that kind of person.

ulster protestant he was far more likely than not to be a member of some loyal order.

wow, like literally?

I did, what lie is she telling?

Here is what I said:

Again, notwithstanding the fact the OO is a sectarian organisation the issue for Heather here is has she been telling porkies about it.

That is what the journalist is asking. 

Here is what the 'journalist said:

12.45: I asked Heather Humphreys has your husband ever been a member of the Orange Order: ‘you’d have to ask him’.

17.36: Spokesman: He was.

The Fine Gael Presidential candidate’s answers to questions were not credible.

**