HEATHER HUMPHREYS HAS said she “hardly knows what day it is” after being asked where she was for a vote on a public inquiry into the death of a constituent Shane O’Farrell.

The 23-year-old law graduate was cycling home in 2011, when he was hit by a car in Co Monaghan being driven by a man who should have been in jail.

The O’Farrell family have been calling for a public inquiry into the circumstances of his death.

In May, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan apologised to the family for failures in the criminal justice system.

Humphreys was asked about a comment she made on a Virgin Media interview on Monday night where she said she was abroad when a vote on an inquiry was held in the Dail in 2018.

She clarified today that she was on a trade mission in the UK up until the morning of the vote and was paired with a member of the opposition including on the day of the vote.

“I was abroad that morning, I certainly was. I don’t know what time the flight come in at to be quite honest with you. As I say, I hardly know what day it is today.

“Seven-and-a-half-years ago, would you remember what time a flight came into Dublin airport?”

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Humphreys was speaking as junior ministers and independents Michael Healy-Rae, Noel Grealish, Marian Harkin and Kevin “Boxer” Moran backed her for the Aras.

After Jim Gavin’s dramatic withdrawal, the two candidates left in the race face intense scrutiny at the final round of canvasses and media interviews.

Fine Gael’s Humphreys and left-wing independent Catherine Connolly are due to appear on the final televised debate of the presidential campaign on RTÉ tonight. Connolly was also in studio with The Journal this afternoon, speaking on political podcast The Candidate.

Among the issues expected to feature are Connolly’s work as a barrister, which has been an attack point by Fine Gael, and Humphreys’ representations on behalf of the O’Farrell family.