Overview

• Catherine Connolly formally launched her campaign in Dublin with public endorsements from Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and several independents.
• She presented herself as an inclusive candidate focused on human rights, housing, healthcare, climate action and giving voice to marginalised communities, with supporters highlighting neutrality and Gaza.
• Comments she made on BBC Radio Ulster about Hamas prompted a rebuke from the Taoiseach and a Social Democrats statement distancing from her language, and she declined a post-launch media Q&A, according to RTÉ.
• Sinn Féin opted not to field its own contender after Mary Lou McDonald ruled herself out, throwing the party’s resources behind Connolly despite commentary that the move was underwhelming.
• Businessman Gareth Sheridan ended his bid after failing to secure enough council nominations, leaving a likely three-way contest with Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin and Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys unless Maria Steen assembles 20 Oireachtas backers.