Presidential Election.

I'm all in favour of that. It wouldn't apply to Ursula Ní Shionnain nor Michael Lowry but for crimes of violence, burglary, etc it's hugely beneficial. For others you rely on prison personnel, psychologists and others having contact with the incarcerated individual.

Éamon O'Cuív having a proper go at Micheal M - Irish Independent today.

As he should. Pretty shoddy treatment of the man who was only last year the most elderly FF politician in the Dáil.

"Ó Cuív hits out at Taoiseach over Connolly convict criticism - 'I'm surprised somebody didn't contact me first'



Former Fianna Fáil minister Éamon Ó Cuív has defended Independent presidential candidate Catherine Connolly and said he does not agree with criticism from the Taoiseach over her hiring of a woman convicted of firearms offences.

Mr Ó Cuív said he was “surprised” that Micheál Martin did not speak to him before publicly making comments on the matter, given his role over a number of years in visiting republican prisoners and in recommending the woman to Ms Connolly.

Ursula Shannon (also Ní Shionnáin) was hired as an administrative support worker for Ms Cononlly in the Oireachtas in 2018, shortly after she was released from prison after serving over four years for unlawful possession of firearms and possession of ammunition.
 
Ms Shannon had been linked to the Éirígí – a republican organisation which opposed the peace process. She was not granted a Dáil pass while a vetting process was being conducted, but was signed in and out by Ms Connolly.

Earlier, the Taoiseach said this indicates “a very serious lack of judgement” on Ms Connolly’s part.

“In terms of someone who has apparently served four and a half years in prison for possession of firearms, and is also a member of an organisation that did everything to undermine the Irish peace process, that would indicate a very serious lack of judgement,” he said.

But Mr Ó Cuív, a former Fianna Fáil TD in Ms Connolly's Galway constituency, said he disagreed with these comments, and asked “how can we talk seriously about reconciliation if we make a puff of smoke over this?”

“I am surprised somebody didn’t contact me before [Mr Martin] made those comments,” he said.

The former Galway West TD said Ms Shannon had a PhD in social linguistics, that he had visited her a number of times in prison and had conversations with her on socialism, the economy and political philosophy.

She was not someone who posed any security threat and is now an active member of society, he said. "People that I visited involved in republicanism have a right to be brought into the process. If you are going to lock them out of society forever, then we will never progress,” he said.

“Catherine is right. I was asked. I gave a strong recommendation. I see no problem with that and I’m surprised that anybody does,” Mr Ó Cuív told the Irish Independent.

“My view at the time was that if you want to bring about peace, you have to take these steps. And time has proved me 100pc right. What she has done since, she has been an Irish language officer in a number of organisations, she has small children and a job and is a regular member of society."

“I am surprised somebody didn’t contact me before [Mr Martin] made those comments, given that it’s well known that I have been working on these issues for a long time,” he added.

Earlier, Ms Connolly defended the appointment and said she got a "strong recommendation" from Mr Ó Cuív.
 
The former Galway West TD said Ms Shannon had a PhD in social linguistics, that he had visited her a number of times in prison and had conversations with her on socialism, the economy and political philosophy.

She was not someone who posed any security threat and is now an active member of society, he said.

Mary Regan, Political Editor"



Restorative justice was set up to give understanding and closure to victims. With a chance to confront the criminal. How exactly would that work in the victimless Ursula Ní Shionnain case?

They're just clutching at straws to throw stuff at her. It ain't working and the more the public get to see of her the more they like her. The first debate was a failure for the other two. The second, I believe, will be worse. They'll all be more comfortable having undergone the intial one. They'll have more to say. Alas only CC has the true intellect, ethics and power of argument to do it well.