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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 The Taoiseach pictured last week.Alamy Stock Photo walked the thing Taoiseach congratulates Catherine Connolly as Harris denies campaign 'backfiring' Micheál Martin said the ‘people have made their choice’ and he has no doubt Connolly ‘will serve the country well’. 5.08pm, 25 Oct 2025 Share options TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has issued his congratulations to Catherine Connolly on her impending win in the presidential election. In a statement, Martin wrote that it “is clear she will be the next President of Ireland” and said she “ran a successful and impactful campaign”. “The people have made their choice, and I have no doubt Catherine Connolly will serve the country well,” he wrote. The Taoiseach also paid tribute to Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys and his own former candidate Jim Gavin. “As Taoiseach, I look forward to working with the new President in the time ahead as Ireland continues to play a significant role on the global stage, and as we look forward to hosting the EU Presidency in the second half of 2026,” he added. Over at Dublin Castle, Tánaiste Simon Harris told reporters he doesn’t believe anything “backfired” in his party’s presidential campaign as Fine Gael conceded its loss early today. Advertisement Simon Harris says he isn’t sure anything ‘backfired’ in the FG campaign pic.twitter.com/Brw5r2iby0— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) October 25, 2025 Harris denied that Fine Gael’s dissemination of a video on social media titled “Catherine Connolly’s hypocrisy” and its focus on her previous work as a barrister was either part of a smear campaign or was a move that dragged its candidate Heather Humphreys down. “I’m not sure anything backfired, to be very blunt,” Harris said. “In many ways the video asked the questions that many of you [journalists] were asking. If the new bar in terms of political commentary is that you can’t issue anything on social media that is critical of your political opponent, I’m sure you’ll review all the content that is issued about me on a weekly basis by opposition parties,” he said. “The election’s over so I don’t want to relitigate it. But I think it’s perfect appropriate to ask questions of your opponent.” He said both candidates “were put through the wringer” by the media and the public have now made their decision. Speaking on RTÉ earlier, Harris had issued his congratulations to Connolly and said he thought she had run a “very good campaign”. “The keepie-uppies was an important moment,” he said, highlighting Connolly’s presence on podcasts, her campaign’s social media, and the sustained campaign. 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. 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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 Micheál Martin Simon Harris walked the thing News in 60 seconds Left parties all smiles as Connolly on course for Áras with huge victory and historic mandate 28 mins ago Follow all the election results here in our count centre PodcastThe Candidate A landslide for Connolly - but the story of this election is protest the diplomat What might Catherine Connolly say to Donald Trump if she meets him as president? 43 mins ago As ballots are counted, misleading claims that the election was ‘rigged’ spread online nemo ranger Everyone’s favourite vote counter is back in action in Nemo Rangers Fatal Crash Man (60s) dies and two people injured after Co Wicklow crash Left parties all smiles as Connolly on course for Áras with huge victory and historic mandate 28 mins ago Dublin city centre Gardaí called as Mary Lou McDonald and canvassers threatened on Dublin street As it happened Áras election turnout quite low as polls near close 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. 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