'Serious questions' about release of details relating to Ursula Ní Shionnain, Connolly says

Olivia Kelleher

Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly has said that there are “serious questions” about the release of details related to her attempt to hire a woman with a firearms conviction.

In 2014, Ursula Ní Shionnain (41) pleaded not guilty to possession of arms and ammunition in Tullybeg, Rahan, Co Offaly. She was found guilty at a sitting of the Special Criminal Court and jailed for six years.

She served almost four and a half years of her sentence. It is understood that Ms Ní Shionnain was a former member of the political party, Éirígí.

Speaking to Red FM during a visit to Cork on Friday, Ms Connolly said that there are “serious questions to be asked as to how this (the attempted hiring of Ms Ní Shionnain) became a public story.”

“Where do privacy rights come in to how this was released? Who released this, for what benefit, and if somebody or an entity wants to get me in to trouble, surely an innocent person shouldn’t be used? Whatever about trying to damage me, which is another matter.”

Ms Connolly admitted that it had upset her that Ms Ní Shionnain found herself in the media spotlight due to her connection with her.

"There is a story here. How can society tolerate that and how is that allowed to happen, just to damage me?”

She stated that the “consequences of what has happened are quite serious for our democracy.”

Meanwhile, the independent presidential candidate said that Ms Ní Shionnain was recommended to her.

She insisted that she was informed that Ms Ni Shionnain was trying to get back in to employment following the completion of her prison sentence.

Ms Connolly said that she was aware of the background of Ms Ní Shionnain.

“I knew her background. I knew that the Special Criminal Court had found her guilty, and, of course I had perhaps questions and then I went and sought advice from people who were hugely experienced in visiting prisoners and prisons and she came with high recommendations.

"I don’t think there are questions in relation to my judgement. Éirígí Is a registered political party. My understanding is that she was no longer active in that party and my understanding — which has been borne out — is that she had turned a corner.

This is a person who had served her sentence, turned the corner, went on to further her education within the prison and continued it afterwards.”