Catherine Connolly Under Fire Over Comments About Hamas

Independent candidate Catherine Connolly has officially launched her campaign for the Presidency.

The Galway TD did not take questions from press at the event, which occurred a number of hours after comments she made on BBC radio were criticised by the Taoiseach.

Deputy Connolly told BBC, ‘Hamas is a "part of the fabric of the Palestinian people’.

Taoiseach Mícheál Martin condemned the comments, saying "Hamas, you know, have broken every humanitarian law as well, in terms of the capturing of hostages. These are innocent civilians".

"There should be unequivocal condemnation of Hamas".

United Nations

The comments come ahead of an address to the United Nations General Assembly by US President Donald Trump.

That speech is nervously awaited by other world leaders, following the recognition of Palestine by France, the UK, Belgium, Canada and other Western allies.

Israel's reacted angrily - with its ambassador to the UN boycotting a global summit, and accusing those countries of forgetting the hostages taken by Hamas on October 7th 2023.

But Tánaiste Simon Harris believes Israel is increasing its attacks on Palestine in response to more nations recognising the Palestinian state.

"I think it is deeply offensive, that the Palestinian Authority are not represented here, at UN High Level Week," the Foreign Affairs Minister said, "That there is going to be a conference about a two-state solution in which one of the states isn't present".

Presidential Latest 

Minister of State Marian Harkin is the latest TD to announce she will nominate Maria Steen to run in the Presidential election.

Ms. Steen needs the backing of 20 members of the Oireachtas, and currently has support from around 18.

She has received a further four nominations today, as Independent Ireland's TDs have chosen to back her.

So far the only confirmed candidates are Heather Humphreys, Jim Gavin and Catherine Connolly.