Overview
- In the final RTÉ Prime Time debate, Heather Humphreys pressed Catherine Connolly on past legal work for banks in repossession cases, and Connolly confirmed she had represented banks while citing client confidentiality and the courts’ role under government policy.
- The Bar Council and senior legal figures, including Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan, defended the cab‑rank rule and warned against criticising barristers for the clients they represent.
- Fine Gael intensified its attacks with an online video highlighting Connolly’s legal work, drawing condemnations from opposition figures, as Humphreys accused her rival of “double standards” and said no one lost a home during her credit‑union tenure.
- An Irish Times/Ipsos poll published on October 16 put Connolly on 38% to Humphreys’ 20%, with significant numbers undecided, not planning to vote or intending to spoil ballots.
- Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin has withdrawn from campaigning but remains on the ballot, leaving an effective two‑way contest as both camps make their final appeals before the October 24 vote.