HEATHER HUMPHREYS REFLECTS ON THE WEEK SINCE HER PRESIDENTIAL BID ANNOUNCEMENT

By Veronica Corr

One week on from her eagerly anticipated announcement on local radio that she would seek the Fine Gael nomination for the Irish Presidency, and one week before the close of nominations, The Northern Standard caught up with Heather Humphreys, who is a household name in Cavan, Monaghan and right across the country, having been manager of Cootehill Credit Union and a member of Monaghan County Council before moving to the national stage in the Dáil, where she quickly rose through the ranks and held several Ministerial portfolios.

Despite her success, she remains grounded and modest, always referring affectionately to the late Seymour Crawford, who asked her to be co-opted onto his seat in Monaghan County Council and later to run for his Dáil seat upon his retirement. No doubt, he is smiling down on her from Heaven. She also says that she couldn’t have become a public representative without familial support, or the support of the public, which she will be calling upon again, if she makes it through the nomination process. All indications are that she is well ahead, but on several occasions during our conversation, she reiterated that she is not yet the candidate and she wished the very best of luck to Sean Kelly, the other person seeking the Fine Gael seal of…