Unionists split on Republic of Ireland’s new president Catherine Connolly
Unionist reaction has been split over the Republic’s new president, with a UUP MLA the only elected politician from that tradition to attend her inauguration while the TUV declared Catherine Connolly’s past actions mean no pro-Union people should have been there.
Meanwhile the DUP have issued a cautious response, one of their MLAs reminding the new head of the Irish state that the majority of Northern Ireland’s citizens want to remain part of the UK even as they enjoy good relations across the border.
Ulster Unionist MLA Steve Aiken attended today’s inauguration, stating that doing so would bolster good relations.
With the ceremony taking place on Remembrance Day, he said he would wear his poppy with pride and hoped to meet Irish veterans.
“As our closest neighbour it’s appropriate to show the Ulster Unionist Party approach to improving north/south and east/west relations,” he said.
“The Irish president is the head of state of a democratic nation, and we will pay due respect to both the office and the individual, just as we would to the President of the United States, Ukraine, or any other democratic leader.
“I will continue to represent the unionist perspective with clarity and conviction.”
However the TUV were adamant that no unionist should be at the Dublin Castle inauguration ceremony, pointing to a host of past actions and statements by the new president.
The party alleged Ms Connolly “wants the dismemberment of our United Kingdom” and accused her of being “anti-American and anti-Western defence” for her stances on the international conflict and organisations such as NATO.
The TUV also singled out her controversial 2018 decision to employ a woman who had just been released from prison on firearms offences, and had been a prominent member of socialist republican group Eirigi.
DUP MLA Michelle McIlveen said today has been “important for the people of the Irish Republic”, reinforcing the importance of Ms Connolly “recognising and respecting Northern Ireland’s constitutional position, and that the majority of its citizens wish to remain part of the United Kingdom.”