Some members of Catherine Connolly’s campaign team are privately “very nervous” following reports that she employed a woman with a conviction for firearms offences, the Political Editor of the Irish Times has said. 

In 2014, Ursula Ní Shionnain was arrested by Gardaí and subsequently jailed along with three others. 

She had pleaded not guilty to possession of arms and ammunition in Tullybeg, Rahan, County Offaly. 

However, the court found her guilty and sentenced her to six months in prison. 

 “We know that the woman in question, Ursula Ní Shionnain, was jailed by the Special Criminal Court, which is the court that is normally used for organised crime, subversive organisations - that type of thing,” Pat Leahy explained on Newstalk Breakfast.  

“She was a member of éirigí, a socialist republican group, but she was jailed for what looks like an attempt to steal arms. 

“She was arrested; [there was a] stolen van, she and her co-accussed were stopped close to the premises of a firearms dealer. 

“One of the weapons that was discovered in the van Gardaí told the court had been used in a murder in Tallaght in 2002 - there’s no suggestion that any of the people in the van were involved in that. 

“She pleaded not guilty, was jailed for six years; in 2018, she was given early release.” 

The Special Criminal Court. Picture by: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie.

After her release from prison, Ms Ní Shionnain was employed by Deputy Connolly, who was then Chair of the Oireachtas Coiste na Gaeilge. 

Speaking on RTÉ, the presidential candidate described Ms Ní Shionnáin, who has a PhD in Irish, as “absolutely perfect for the job”. 

“I’m particularly proud that I represent a society that gives people a second chance, a society that shows care and compassion,” Deputy Connolly said. 

“It’s really important. We can’t have it every way.”

Leinster House. Picture by: Alamy.com.

Despite this, Ms Ní Shionnáin’s time at Leinster House did not last; while anyone can get a day pass for Leinster House from a TD or Senator, a permanent pass requires Garda vetting. 

Ní Shionnáin applied for a pass but reportedly Gardaí declined to grant it.

“Catherine Connolly yesterday denied that,” Mr Leahy continued.  

“She just said that the process was not completed and after six months of needing to be signed in by Ms Connolly or a member of her staff every day, then Ms Ní Shionnáin simply left.” 

The three Presidential Election candidates, Catherine Connolly with Fianna Fáil's Jim Gavin and Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie.

Mr Leahy said there is now “some confusion” about what actually happened. 

“Was she refused a pass or did she just not get one?” he said. 

“In some cases you might say, ‘Well, if you don’t get an answer, that’s your answer.’” 

 Mr Leahy added that the Connolly campaign should provide clarity about what vetting of Ms Ní Shionnain was carried out by the Galway TD. 

“Catherine Connolly says that this woman was no longer a member of éirigí when she employed her,” he said. 

“We know that the Irish Times and the Irish Independent are reporting this morning that during this period, éirigí was claiming her as a member - when she was in prison; in 2018, it was referring to her in Facebook posts as a member. 

“So, the question Catherine Connolly might be asked would be, how did you check out that she was suitable? Catherine Connolly says she checked her out after her release and employed her because she had rehabilitated herself. 

“It would be interesting to know more about that checking out process.” 

Presidential Candidate Catherine Connolly. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie.

With less than a month before polling day, some of Deputy Connolly’s backers are concerned about the impact of the story on her campaign. 

“Privately, I can tell you for sure that some of Ms Connolly’s backers were very nervous about it,” he said. 

“In public, everyone was rowing in behind her, trying to shut down the story, saying this was a question of rehabilitation.”  

Polling day is scheduled for 24th October and the next President will be inaugurated in November. 

Deputy Connolly’s campaign has been approached for comment.

Main image: Catherine Connolly at the launch of her presidential campaign. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie.