“Gotcha” claims about Heather Humphreys’ husband have no place in modern Ireland. 

That’s according to UCD historian and author of Ulster’s Lost Counties Edward Burke, who said the Humphreys' should be under no obligation to apologise for their historical connection with the Orange tradition. 

“I think if we’re thinking about reconciling our island, we need to be conscious that the Orange Order and the Loyal Orders enjoy very large membership on this island,” he told Newstalk Breakfast. 

“Therefore, I felt that the way that Eric Humphreys' previous membership, apparently some five decades ago, was portrayed was as if this was somehow a secret; something clandestine. 

“I think we need to be very careful, there are border areas where this subject is still sensitive, and there’s a lot of tolerance in places like Monaghan.” 

The exact numbers of current Orange Order members in the Republic of Ireland are not publicly available; however, a 2017 Irish Times article places the figure in the hundreds. 

An Orange Order march in Lurgan, County Armagh. Image: CAZIMB / Alamy Stock Photo

The Irish Daily Mail estimated that Eric Humphreys was a member of the Orange Order around 1975, during the height of the Troubles. 

“Clearly, sectarianism is part of the Orange Order’s history,” Mr Burke said. 

“There have been sectarian incidents, there’s been sectarian conflicts, and the Orange Order has often been at the forefront of that. 

“I think it would be completely foolish and wrong-headed to suggest otherwise. 

“On the other hand, we also need to understand that the Orange Order is a very large organisation, and how it manifests in south Donegal may be quite different to perhaps how it manifests itself in some areas of east Belfast.” 

'I don't think she needs to apologise'

According to Mr Burke, Heather Humphreys' involvement with the Orange Order should have been expected given her constituency. 

“I think her engagement with the Orange Order should be expected in terms of occasionally attending events, I don’t think she needs to apologise for that,” he said. 

“Other Irish politicians do that; they may have a different faith to Heather Humphreys but they do engage with the Orange Order, so why single her out? 

“I think we need to be much more open about talking about those within our State who are still associated with the Orange Order or are still members of it. 

“They shouldn’t have to elide away from it.” 

Main image: Fine Gael Presidential election candidate, Heather Humphreys speaking at a press conference after she officially launching her campaign in the Monaghan Peace Campus. Photo: Eamonn Farrell/© RollingNews.ie 13/09/2025