CATHERINE CONNOLLY’S CAMPAIGN has amended a video posted on social media that featured a short clip of Michael D Higgins and other former Irish presidents.

Earlier in the day, Connolly was questioned about the video and whether she had received permission from Higgins for him to be featured in it.

Connolly responded: 

“I’m not aware of that because I came straight here, so I will check that out immediately.” 

Subsequently, the short scene was removed from the video, which still remains online. 

A spokesperson for the campaign told The Journal that this was done so as “not to distract from the campaign further”. 

The campaign video entitled ‘Why should Catherine Connolly be president of Ireland?’, clips featured Higgins and his predecessors, Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson.

Speaking in Dublin today she said: “My whole energy from day one and for the next two weeks is putting myself before the people of Ireland and allowing them to make their minds up.

“I think it’s really important that I repeat that this election is extremely important at the junction we are in our history, and also the people decide.

“They don’t decide who’s Tánaiste or Taoiseach, they do decide who is president of Ireland, and I have the utmost respect for the democratic process.”

A spokesperson for the Connolly campaign took with issue with reports that Higgins had refused or disagreed with the clip. 

“At no point was there any refusal or disagreement”, they said, adding:

“The video in question was amended following standard editorial review. The matter was handled in the normal way and resolved without any issue. 

“The implication that there was any controversy or refusal simply does not reflect the facts. It distracts from the real issues in this campaign – fairness, community, and integrity in public life.”

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The spokesperson added:

“Catherine Connolly’s campaign has always conducted itself with transparency and respect. We would encourage all media outlets to correct the record and to focus on the values and vision at the heart of this campaign.”

Connolly is not the only one to get into a spot of bother with her social media videos today. 

Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys had to take down a campaign video after a shot of the Reichstag in Berlin appeared to have been included instead of Belfast City Hall.