A Labour stalwart has branded the party’s decision to endorse Catherine Connolly a “mistake”. 

The independent TD for Galway West has been nominated by People Before Profit, the Social Democrats and Labour in her bid to be elected the 10th President of Ireland. 

Ciarán Ahern TD said the party had decided to throw its support behind her as the party was “determined that the social democratic values of equality, justice and tolerance should shape the Presidency over the next seven years”. 

On The Pat Kenny Show, former Barnardo's CEO Fergus Finlay said he respects it is the “democratic choice” of the party to back her, but nonetheless remains disappointed. 

“I think it was a mistake and I do not understand why she wanted our endorsement,” he said. 

“I don’t why she got our endorsement; her relationship with the Labour Party has always been one bordering on contempt. 

“She left the Labour Party because we didn’t make what would have been an absolutely stupid and suicidal decision to run two candidates in Galway West. 

“She wanted to run alongside Michael D Higgins and that would have cost him the seat and certainly wouldn’t have got her the seat.” 

Catherine Connolly. Picture by: Newstalk.

Mr Finlay continued that Deputy Connolly has “never had a good word to say about the Labour Party” since her departure from the party fold.

Earlier this year, he contacted Labour leader Ivana Bacik, hoping he could persuade her to nominate a candidate in the election. 

“I wanted to be considered as part of the process for finding that somebody,” Mr Findlay said. 

“I never assumed any sense of entitlement.

“It just didn’t happen and that’s fine, that’s that - I’ll probably get a chance to run when I’m 97 or something.” 

Áras an Uachtaráin. Picture by: Almay.com.

He added that the party has been “struggling” in recent years, but that had also been the case in 1990 when it nominated Mary Robinson. 

“We were not at a high ebb,” he said. 

“But the principle was what mattered and the principle was there has to be a contest - this cannot be a coronation. 

“It’s not democratic and it’s not right - it demeans the office if there’s endless coronations.” 

Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil have yet to nominate a candidate, while Fine Gael are expected to confirm Heather Humphreys as their standard bearer.

Main image: Catherine Connolly. Picture by: Alamy.com.