THERE’S NOW OFFICIALLY less than two weeks to go until polling day for the presidential election, and candidates are nearing the end of their list of debates.

Now only two strong, presidential rivals Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys visited RTÉ’s Donnybrook radio studio this afternoon for a surprisingly combative debate.

It comes as a Business Post/Red C poll, carried out from October 1-7, indicates that Connolly is on 36%, Humphreys is on 25%, and now withdrawn Jim Gavin was on 12%.

Recent polling has put Connolly ahead of the (small) pack, with bookmaker Paddy Powers even paying out on her win early.

In today’s debate, Humphreys focused in on any perceived discrepancies in Connolly’s previous statements as the Fine Gael candidate sought to portray herself as a pro-business, pro-Europe candidate, and Connolly as the antithesis. 

Europe

In the wake of Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin’s unceremonious exit from the presidential race, both candidates are now eyeing up his unclaimed votes. 

Making a pitch to Fianna Fáil voters, Catherine Connolly emphasised her background in social justice, equality, her work standing up against violence against women, and her position on the north. 

Following on, Humphreys said she was a centrist, pro-Europe, pro-business, “common sense” candidate who has a large amount of diplomatic experience. 

Connolly said there was an incorrect implication being made that she was not pro Europe or pro business, and clarified that she has been “pro business all [her] life”.

“My father was a qualified plasterer and then became a small builder. I fully understand the business side,” she said, as Humphreys interjected to claim that Connolly had voted against every European treaty – something which Connolly said was “absolutely incorrect”.

“I’m absolutely pro European, asking questions of the military industrial complex and the direction that the compass is going in Europe. It’s not the same as anti European. I’m a committed European and a committed European asks questions,” the Galway West TD said.

Humphreys replied: “Well, Catherine, you’ve managed to insult our allies. You’ve insulted Germany, you’ve insulted France, you’ve insulted the UK, our nearest neighbor, you’ve insulted the US. That doesn’t go without consequences.”

The two disagreed over approaches to the triple lock mechanism.

Paul Murphy

The former minister brought up a former court case where one of Connolly’s supporters, TD Paul Murphy, was accused of falsely imprisoning Joan Burton and her advisor in her car in 2014 during a protest against water charges. Murphy was found not guilty by a jury.

Humphreys brought up the case and asked Connolly if she supported such alleged action, despite Murphy being cleared of any allegation of wrongdoing in court.

Continuing on the train of Europe, Connolly replied: “You’re saying very serious things here that are very that are inaccurate”, and fielded questions from Humphreys on Russia, her associations with “far-left” figures such as Murphy, Clare Daly, and Mick Wallace, and her hiring of a gun convict to work in the Oireachtas. 

Paul Murphy released a short statement following the programme and said: “It’s unfortunate that Fine Gael’s desperation has reached such levels that Heather Humphreys is now trying to undermine the unanimous decision of a jury.

“I’m confident that our positive campaign to elect Catherine will continue to grow in momentum despite Fine Gael’s smear campaign.”

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Shane O’Farrell

Shane O'Farrell, aged 23, was a law graduate of UCD. The O'Farrell Family The O'Farrell Family

Presenter David McCullagh asked Humphreys about the case of Shane O’Farrell, a 23-year-old law graduate who was the victim of a hit-and-run in 2011 in Co Monaghan, Humphreys’s constituency.

Shane was cycling home when he was struck by a car driven by Zigimantas Gradzuiska near Carrickmacross in Co Monaghan. Gradzuiska was on bail for numerous offences and Shane’s family have asked for years why he was at liberty on the day of Shane’s death. 

The family received a public apology earlier this year.

McCullagh said Shane’s mother Lucia had been in contact with him to say that Humphreys had “done nothing to help” the family as they spent years campaigning for a public apology and State action.

Humphreys said she had spoken to Lucia and made representations on her behalf to ministers. “I did everything I could to help them, and I’m sorry if Lucia felt I didn’t do enough. I did make representations to the relevant ministers at the time, and I’m glad she has got a state apology,” she said.

Lucia told The Journal that although she had spoken to Humphreys over the phone, she had never met with the former minister.