Catherine Connolly won the presidential election in Ireland: what is known about her and how she feels about Ukraine

Left-wing MP Catherine Connolly won the Irish presidential election with about 64% of the vote. She is known for her calls for Irish neutrality in Russia’s war against Ukraine and criticism of NATO, while repeatedly expressing support for the Ukrainian people.

This is reported by The Guardian .

Preliminary results showed Connolly with a clear lead over rival Heather Humphreys, who conceded defeat after most votes were counted. The election came amid growing social unrest in the country, particularly over a housing crisis and high prices.

Connolly, 68, was backed by youth representatives and an alliance of left-wing opposition parties. Her victory, analysts said, was a “symbolic rebuke” to Ireland’s current government.

“Katherine will be the president for all of us, and she will be my president, and I really want to wish her all the best,” Humphreys said after the results were announced.

Catherine Connolly is an experienced legislator, former psychologist and lawyer, who first entered parliament in 2016. She advocates for social equality, respect for human rights, and maintaining Ireland’s neutrality in international conflicts.

Connolly has repeatedly explained her position on the war in Ukraine publicly. She stressed that Ireland, as a neutral state, should “use its voice for peace, not war.” At the same time, the politician condemned Russia’s actions, calling Vladimir Putin “a dictator who does not respect democracy.”

In February 2022, Connolly called for “opposing any possibility of war,” but later expressed clear solidarity with Ukrainians affected by the Russian invasion. She stressed that Ireland should “support the Ukrainian people humanitarianally and politically, but not participate in military alliances.”

In 2025, Connolly said that Ireland must “continue to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine” and “not forget the crimes committed by Russia.” She stressed that many Ukrainians have found refuge in Ireland and the state must continue to provide them with support.

Analysts note that while the Irish president has largely ceremonial powers, Connolly’s victory could affect the country’s international image. Her stance on neutrality could provoke a cautious reaction from Western partners, but at the same time it could strengthen the humanitarian aspect of Ireland’s policy towards Ukraine.

Recall that in the parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic, which ended on October 4, the populist ANO party of the country’s former Prime Minister Andrej Babis, who had previously repeatedly expressed anti-Ukrainian views, won .

By the way, the Central Election Commission of Georgia announced the victory of the leading pro-Russian party “Georgian Dream” in the local government elections amid protests.

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