Presidential Election 2025

You’re speaking as if she would have any power over budget decisions as president. Funding comes from government, not Áras an Uachtaráin.

And on the Gardaí, Connolly has been explicit in saying they need more funding and resources. She’s consistently backed community policing and is strongly pro-Garda on that front.

Connolly has highlighted the neglect of the Defence Forces across the board - personnel, conditions, and capacity. Of course pay and conditions are central, because you can buy all the hardware you like, but without properly paid and retained personnel to operate and maintain it, it’s just expensive gear gathering dust.

She hasn’t ruled out the need for investment in capability, but insists that any debate on hardware must be transparent, honest, and accountable to the public - not a blank cheque. Especially given our government’s track record of overspending and mismanaging major investment projects.

The Gardai vet everyone.

In their opinion she was a security risk
In Connolly's she wasn't.

She has gone on to a successful career and has been in to give expert information in Irish language to the Houses of The Oireachtas. Far as I know she has not re-offended and is not a member of Éirigi anymore suggesting her sentence worked.

Connolly's judgement was sound as far as I can see.

Yet another example of her absolutely terrible judge of character and naivety that rule her out as presidential.

Hiring not just a person convicted of a gun crime straight out of prison to work in leinster house but also a member of eirigi? People will argue now that she's shown no signs of reoffending but that's after 7 years, Connolly tried to hire her literally months after release…

There is no excuse for such poor judgement.

To be fair the article reads like a glib attempt to make a story out of nothing. Im highly critical of CC on foreign policy issues, but in terms of the news cycle, its a very boring presidential election if this is a 'Front Page' story on the Journal.ie

I can imagine a group of journalists, desperately trying to find something interesting to print. And someone finding this story of CC trying to hire someone with a gun charge. In any usual election cycle it would be back page stuff, hardly relevent. But in this low key, almost boring at times, election cycle - its worth placing on the front page of the journal. Says more about their editorial decision making, than it does about CC.

She tried to hire someone with a gun charge, and the guards stepped in. CC appealled it, but the decision was upheld.

Did CC use poor judgement, arguably she did.

Was she right to appeal - probably not, but she had that right and decided to exercise it.

Is it a story worth discussing - honestly, no i dont think so.

But thats just me

Yeah, that’s just you, I would suggest that in most peoples eyes it’s a very revealing and possibly a game ending story, in the polling booth.

She who lies down with dogs wakes up with fleas…..as the saying goes.

Well i wont disagree on CC's poor judgement. As someone who made as many gaffs as she has on foreign policy alone, i think the lady has aweful judgement, and has demonstrated a complete lack of political tact. Iv posted a lot of criticism about her even just today.

But honestly folks.

Seven years ago, she tried to hire someone with a criminal record. Was prevented from doing so, appealled this decision, but it was upheld.

Stop the Press….? Really?

CC has the right to hire whom ever she wants. The fact she appealled the decision probably means she knew about it. Thats how it would read to me. She can attempt to hire anyone she wants to work in Government Buildings, she has that right. The Guards have the right to do a background check. The system worked.

Lets be frank too, we have had criminals elected to the Dail. We nearly had the monk elected. And how is Michael Lowry doing? How is the extension on his house? What effect did it have on the valuation of that house? Has he ever had an ounce of difficulty being re-elected since 97?

Its a non story in my opinion, and i say that as someone VERY critical of Catherine Connolly. I remain critical, and am really concerned about how many more international issues she will chose to ignite during the presidential election.

But this is silly tbh.

If we want to file it in the bank of 'Yet More Questionable decisions by CC'- that is fair. But for me it takes a back seat to Hamas, German rearmament, and Imperialism.

You seem to be getting over exercised about CC. All you have to do is not vote for her, relax.

You could argue that Gavin rehabilitated Dermo by bringing him back slowly. Getting more than a tune out of him. Top class management.

Unfortunately those qualities are not required as POI.