Heather Humphreys has said she would “love” to see a united Ireland and has promised to try and persuade unionists of the benefits of unity if elected President. 

The Fine Gael candidate was raised in the mostly Protestant village of Drum, County Monaghan, which is located just a few miles away from the border. 

Even to this day, some locals still feel a strong connection with the United Kingdom and as a young man, Ms Humphreys’ grandfather signed the Ulster Covenant in opposition to Home Rule. 

Despite this, she describes herself as a “true Irish republican” in the tradition of Wolfe Tone and hopes to see a 32 county republic one day. 

 “I grew up on the border and I understand the sensitivities, the difficulties and the challenges that people face,” she explained to Henry McKean for The Hard Shoulder. 

“Because you must remember, when you go back to when the border was formed, you had unionists going to sleep as British citizens, woke up as Irish. 

“And then, of course, in the North, you had nationalists going to sleep as Irish citizens, woke up as British citizens. 

“There were a lot of challenges and borders do cause problems - there’s no doubt about it.” 

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn. Picture by: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo.

Ms Humphreys continued that the Troubles “changed everything”. 

“People were afraid to go and visit their relations in Northern Ireland in case they got caught up in a bomb,” she said. 

“It wasn’t easy.” 

Northern Ireland during the Troubles. Picture by: PA Wire/PA Images.

Ms Humphreys said she hoped her election, as a Presbyterian Ulsterwoman, would demonstrate to unionists that they do not have “anything to fear” and that their identity would be “respected” in a united Ireland. 

“I want to see a united Ireland in time but there’s a lot of work to be done,” she said. 

“I can’t put a time limit on it; of course, I’d love to see it but what I do know is that we do have to really extend the hand of friendship. 

“There’s over one million unionists in Northern Ireland and I want to say to them, ‘Look at me, I come from a minority, Protestant tradition and this country has given me a wonderful chance. It has made me what I am.” 

Polling will take place on Friday 24th October.

Main image: Henry McKean with Heather Humphreys. Picture by: Newstalk.