#Presidential campaign

#Presidential campaign

Fine Gael candidate hits out at rival's role in repossession cases as she enters final week of campaign trailing rival by 18pc in the polls. Presidential candidate Heather Humphreys has issued a stinging attack on Catherine Connolly, saying that in contrast to her opponent, she "never tried to make money out of people's misfortune." Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Independent, Humphreys pointed to Connolly's past work as a barrister representing banks in repossessing homes.

Crucial swing bloc will not back her nomination until she secures at least 16 signatures. Conservative activist Maria Steen suffered a major blow to her ­presidential hopes last night, just hours after announcing on the plinth at Leinster House that she had 10 Oireachtas backers and that her campaign was under way. Michael Collins, leader of Independent Ireland, said its crucial swing bloc of four votes would not consider backing Ms Steen until she had 16 signatures.

Alan Kelly's criticism of party's backing for Independent candidate raises questions for leader Ivana Bacik