Presidential Election.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123839870#Comment_123839870

Connolly's supporters have some very weird and very dangerous foreign policies, which are actually relevant to the role of the President representing Ireland abroad. We need to know whether she agrees with them.

Not sure what relevance Lowry 30 years ago has to today's election.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123839882#Comment_123839882

30 years ago no relevance. Good to know you think Catherine won't have to answer any questions about the PIRA as they are gone over 30 years ago now

How many years are we allowed to back?

I think she needs to answer questions on if she's happy with a corrupt politician backing her and saying he will be telling his supporters to do the same, but obviously you don't

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123839894#Comment_123839894

I see you have avoided the question again. Not to worry, Catherine won't get away with running away from the big Putin problem she has.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123839923#Comment_123839923

The only people banging on about her "Putin problem" are people who are never going to vote for her anyway so I don't think she cares

Wonder what exact military goals Jim Gavin was speaking about when he thought Israel had already achieved them. That's a problem that will be brought up alright

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123839929#Comment_123839929

Gavin has a realistic view of the world, something he has got from his years of military service, leading a UN Mission in I think, Chad. Compared to Connolly, who has never really left her university debating days behind her, his experience of the world is huge.

Everlong1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123839880#Comment_123839880

And what will this united Left's (an oxymoron if ever there was one) solutions be to all these problems? Other than TAX DE RICH AND MORE WELFARE PLEEEZE

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123840038#Comment_123840038

None of that explains what Israel's military goals were achieved in Gaza and Palestine. Was he talking about the last few decades or just after Oct 7th

Did he think after 50,000 people were killed the military goals were achieved or after they killed hundreds of medical personal, UN workers or Journlaists

I'm sure he will clear that up when it's brought up in debates. Hope he continues down the US and NATO cheerleading route myself as it will kill him off before the race even starts

Apothic_Red

I see Paddy Power have both JG & HH at 7/4 joint favourites.

The initial JG bounce has definitely softened.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123839868#Comment_123839868

Wonder what would happen if I started having a go at Heathers looks and what she wears

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123840129#Comment_123840129

Didn't you already comment on Jim Gavin's white trousers?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123840175#Comment_123840175

No again your making up lies, I couldn't care what colour trousers he wears

Your the one who commented on Catherine Connolly's appearance own it and accept some women don't look the way you 'think' they should look

I actually like Jim as a GAA man and hope if CC dosnt win, Jim beats Heather to the job

Dosn't take away from the fact he has serious answers to in relation to what exactly he meant by they have achieved their military goals in Palestine. Does he support them bombing and killing incident people in Lebanon etc until they reach their military goals there

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123840276#Comment_123840276

I will comment on all Presidential candidates' appearances. It is the one election where charisma, personality and appearance matter. The person will be an ambassador for Ireland and that requires certain characteristics including how they present themselves.

Wouldn't want Sacha Cohen in a mankini representing us or Conor McGregor waving his penis on social media, but hey, that doesn't fit your fake narrative of misogyny.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123840290#Comment_123840290

The men who hide behind the 'I will comment on all candidates appearances' excuse but never in fact have done that are deeply suspicious.

You and others commented on a woman's appearance not matching your standards. Own it.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123840290#Comment_123840290

I certainly don't want our President attending sectarian hate marches where they play and sing songs about killing Catholics, so that rules out Heather for me

Couldn't care less if she attends them in a bikini or wears a sash

Guess some men don't care what women wear and look like but some do

Loafing Oaf

Thumbs down for Sheridan from Offaly CoCo. Think we can stick a fork in his bid at this stage…

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123840311#Comment_123840311

And you commented on a man's appearance, own that.

The thing is, as I have said, comments on appearance for an Ambassadorial role are appropriate. You attempt to label misogyny is a failure.

crossman47

This "Independent Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly has said the Palestinian militant group Hamas is "part of the fabric of the Palestinian people"may be true but will deter some potential CC voters.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123840398#Comment_123840398

So everything that happened on October 7th is part of the fabric of the Palestinian people? Did she really say that about Hamas? How can anyone defend a terrorist group like that and be suitable to be our President?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123840396#Comment_123840396

No, I didn't.
I commented on a fatuous and ill thought out PR video.

You commented on how a woman's appearance did not meet your standards.

crossman47

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123840454#Comment_123840454

You can seeit here https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/0922/1534710-live-updates-presidential-election/

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123840465#Comment_123840465

Yeah right. Comment on a man's appearance is fine by you, comment on a woman's appearance is not.

Transparently double standards, as always.

The high moral soapbox is a lonely place.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123840468#Comment_123840468

At best, that was crass from Connolly, at worst, she has damaged herself badly. I really don't think that ordinary Irish people support the terrorist group Hamas in the same way that she does.

This will bring the focus right back on her other foreign policy faux pas. Syria hasn't gone away, and neither has Crimea.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123840486#Comment_123840486

You have already accused me of commenting on Jim's white trousers

I've told you I havnt said anything about Jim's clothes ever

Your back repeating the same lie without proof

So Catherine Connolly believes in self determination for Palestinians.

Speaking to Talkback on BBC Radio Ulster, she said it is "not up to" British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to say that Hamas should have no role in the future politics of a Palestinian state.
"I come from Ireland, a history of colonisation, and I would be very wary of telling a sovereign people how to run their country. The Palestinians must decide in a democratic way who they want to lead their country," she said.
"What happened on 7 October I'm on record condemning, but history did not start on 7 October. It's important to point that out and to look back on the history and the many, many atrocities commited by the Israeli government through their army.
"I don't think Keir Starmer should have any say about Hamas, it's up to the Palestinian people. What Keir Starmer and other countries should be doing is stopping the genocide and using our voices to stop it."
Ms Connolly said she condemns the 7 October attacks but would not describe it as genocide, as genocide has a "very specific meaning under international law".
"What happened on 7 October was wrong, absolutely wrong, I've no hesitation in saying that, but they're not comparable at all," she said.

Fair play Catherine again!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123840495#Comment_123840495

You have left out the bit where she says this:

"Independent Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly has said the Palestinian militant group Hamas is "part of the fabric of the Palestinian people".

https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/0922/1534710-live-updates-presidential-election/

And here is the link, I notice you didn't post the link.

Do you believe that Hamas are part of the fabric of the Palestinian people?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123840509#Comment_123840509

Yes, in the same way the IRA, INLA, Connolly Pearse, the UVF the UFF etc are part of the fabric of this country for decades.

What is so controversial about that?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123840512#Comment_123840512

The UVF, UFF and PIRA are not part of the fabric of this country. They were rejected time and again by the ordinary people.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123840519#Comment_123840519

When did they put themselves forward for election?

The fabric of a country means the underlying structure, relationships and interconnectedness of a society.