Sinn Féin give support to Catherine Connolly

Sinn Féin have announced they are supporting Independent candidate Catherine Connelly in the upcoming Presidential Election.

Following a meeting of the Sinn Féin Ard Comhairle earlier today, Party Leader Mary Lou McDonald confirmed:

“We met this morning and the party leadership voted to support Catherine Connolly for President."

She said the decision was made after "extensive consultation" with elected representatives and the wider party nationally.

"We have two priorities to get Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael out of government and to keep them out of the Áras. Today’s decision allows us to do that."

"It is now game on in the campaign to elect Catherine Connolly as Uachtarán na hÉireann.”

Ms McDonald sais the election is happening at an "important time" for Ireland.

"The momentum for reunification is growing by the day. Partition is on borrowed time. Inch by inch, we are getting closer to a United Ireland. Leading the Executive in the north, we champion a united future that belongs to the people regardless of background or tradition. An Ireland where politics is about delivery, where everyone can live a good life and reach their potential. It is wrong that citizens in the North do not have a vote for the President, despite promises from government to move on this issue.

“Uachtarán na hÉireann is President of all of Ireland. The incoming President is likely to be in office when these referenda happen and will play an important role as the transition to unity begins.

"Of course, for referenda to happen and preparations to begin we need an Irish government who is supportive of that happening. That requires a change of government at the next election."

“We believe that this is an opportunity to elect an Uachtarán who will be a champion for Irish Unity in our time. An Uachtarán with a vision for Ireland’s place in the world, including our proud tradition of military neutrality. An Uachtarán who will be a voice for citizens with disabilities, the marginalised, and those too often ignored by those in power. An Uachtarán with a record of standing for fairness, compassion and economic justice.

“And we believe that Catherine can be that Uachtarán.

“A better Ireland is possible and badly needed. An Ireland where our young people can have real opportunity to meet their aspirations and build a good, secure, prosperous life here at home. An Ireland where our older people – those who built this country – are treated with respect and dignity. We need a coalition very different to that of this Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael government propped up by Michael Lowry’s group and a grubby deal.

“We need a coalition that is about people, focused on making life better for workers, families and communities, determined to create a future we can be proud of. This election provides an opportunity to bring together the widest possible coalition of voters to take on this failed, tired government. A government that is chronically out of touch with the real-life experiences and challenges faced by working people.

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have controlled government for over a century but recent decades have seen Uachtarán na Éireann elected from outside the political establishment. People with experience, who have shown true independence and acted in the interests of all of the people of Ireland, north and south.

Finally, Ms McDonald thanked the current president Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina for their service.

“President Higgins has served our country with distinction and integrity. He has been committed to promoting the best of Ireland, its people, our creativity and culture, and our democratic values. When President Higgins speaks, people listen because he understands the challenges facing workers, families and communities. Where he saw unfairness, inequality and injustice he not only called it out, but demanded real action. This election gives us a chance to elect a President in that tradition.”

She shared on social media:

"Sinn Féin is backing Catherine Connolly to be the next Uachtaráin na hÉireann!

"Our job is to get Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael out of government and to keep them out of the Áras."

"Anois an am. Anois uair na cinniúna."

"We can elect a President who will champion a United Ireland, stand up for Ireland's place in the world as a defender of neutrality and human rights, and speak out for fairness and economic justice."

"It's now game on to elect Catherine Connolly as Ireland's next President. We will give it our all!" the post on platform X stated.

There are three confirmed candidates in the race for the election, which will take place on October 24 , Fianna Fáil's Jim Gavin, Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys, and Galway West TD Catherine Connolly.

Ms Connolly also has the support of Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, and the Green Party.