Copyright thejournal
We need your help now Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open. You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough. If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it. One-off amount I already contribute Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you. An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. Investigates Investigates Money Diaries The Journal TV Climate Crisis Cost of Living Road Safety Newsletters Temperature Check Inside the Newsroom The Journal Investigates Daft.ie Property Allianz Home The 42 Sport TG4 Entertainment The Explainer A deep dive into one big news story Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Advertisement More Stories Cork North Central TD Pádraig O’SullivanAlamy Stock Photo Govt parties 'need to be humble' after FF mess and FG misfire, says Fianna Fáil TD Pádraig O’Sullivan The two-horse race disgruntled some voters, who felt their was a lack of choice. 3.06pm, 25 Oct 2025 Share options THE GOVERNMENT PARTIES will have to humble themselves after a shambles of a presidential election, Fianna Fáil TD Pádraig O’Sullivan has said. He was speaking at the count centre at Nemo Rangers GAA Club in Cork, as Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys conceded the election to the independent Catherine Connolly, who is on track for a landslide victory. The two-horse race disgruntled some voters, who felt their was a lack of choice. Neither of the final candidates got on the ballot through the local authority route, but were instead nominated by Oireachtas members. As was Fianna Fáil’s ghost candidate Jim Gavin, who pulled out of the race after it emerged he had owed a former tenant €3,300 since 2009. The former Dublin Gaelic football manager’s exit came too late for him to be removed from the ballot. Want to catch up on the race to the Áras? Find our brand-new election centre here. Advertisement A campaign for people to spoil votes, championed by businessman Declan Ganley, emerged from the wreckage. To try and calm critics within the party, Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin committed to a review of the processes that saw Gavin put forward as a candidate. He was chosen over party stalwart MEP Billy Kelleher, after Martin pushed members of the parliamentary party to back Gavin, numerous insiders said. Fianna Fáil ended up with no real candidate in the end. Fianna Fáil TD Pádraig O’Sullivan doesn’t spare it in this interview from Cork. Particularly about negative campaigning and his own party’s performance. @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/xCsPjG6i8d— Niall O’Connor (@NiallJournal_ie) October 25, 2025 Pádraig O’Sullivan told The Journal that today’s result doesn’t come as a surprise, “but combined government parties on 30-odd per cent obviously doesn’t instill you with confidence”. “The public have had their say. I think, for both parties now, we need to be humble,” he said. The leadership of both parties need to listen to the electorate. Related Reads Ireland's next president: The votes have been cast, but when will we know the offical result? Seán Kelly says not holding a FG contest for presidential nomination was a 'big, big mistake' Harris says 'we'll defy the skeptics' despite poll putting Connolly in clear lead While counting is still underway, tallies indicate a historic low turnout. “Half the electorate decided not to turn out today, and a high proportion [....] will have decided to either spoil their vote intentionally or to express another preference that wasn’t available to them on the ballot,” said O’Sullivan. “Government parties, it’s incumbent on us all now to listen to people and to reflect and to ensure that in the future that things can be done an awful lot better.” O’Sullivan was among the TDs who were critical of his party’s presidential pick from the beginning, calling the selection process a “circus”. He backed Kelleher. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Support The Journal Niall O'Connor and Mairead Maguire View 7 comments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “Govt parties 'need to be humble' after FF mess and FG misfire, says Fianna Fáil TD Pádraig O’Sullivan”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “Govt parties 'need to be humble' after FF mess and FG misfire, says Fianna Fáil TD Pádraig O’Sullivan”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy before taking part. Leave a Comment Submit a report Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines. Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel. Racism or Hate speech An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs. Trolling or Off-topic An attempt to derail the discussion. Inappropriate language Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs. Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts. Please provide additional information Thank you for the feedback Your feedback has been sent to our team for review. Leave a commentcancel Newly created accounts can only comment using The Journal app. This is to add an extra layer of security to account creation. Download and sign into the app to continue. Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user View our policy ⚠️ Duplicate comment Post Comment have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Catherine Connolly Fianna Fáil Heather Humphreys Padraig O'Sullivan Presidential election 2025 News in 60 seconds Catherine Connolly set to cruise to Áras victory as Heather Humphreys concedes 13 mins ago Why the man accused of sexually assaulting a young girl near Citywest can't be named UK Labour Party A month after being sacked from Starmer’s cabinet, Lucy Powell elected deputy Labour leader 41 mins ago PodcastThe Candidate A landslide for Connolly - but the story of this election is protest 46 mins ago Heather Humphreys concedes presidential election and congratulates Catherine Connolly Ballot paper smeared with suspected excrement found in Cork count centre Presidential Election From 'symbol of change' to 'nutter': How media outlets abroad are covering Catherine Connolly Catherine Connolly set to cruise to Áras victory as Heather Humphreys concedes 13 mins ago As it happened Áras election turnout quite low as polls near close Dublin city centre Gardaí called as Mary Lou McDonald and canvassers threatened on Dublin street The Morning Lead Ireland's next president: The votes have been cast, but when will we know the offical result? more from us Investigates Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie Report an error, omission or problem: Your Email (optional) Create Email Alert Create an email alert based on the current article Email Address One email every morning As soon as new articles come online
