Unionists in Northern Ireland have been shocked by the level of sectarian abuse that was levelled during the presidential campaign, wondering “what hope have the rest of us”, Heather Humphreys has said.
Speaking at the Cavan/Monaghan count centre in Ballyhaise, Fine Gael’s defeated presidential candidate said she had faced sustained sectarian abuse during the campaign, though her campaign team had protected her from much of it.
The Ulster Presbyterian came under attack early in the campaign when much was made of her husband’s membership 50 years ago of the Orange Order – a membership that lapsed once the Troubles started.
In more recent days, she was criticised for speaking at an Ulster Unionists lunch in Fermanagh as an Irish Government Minister, even though her speech dealt with efforts to increase cross-Border co-operation.
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However, the level of sectarian abuse expressed against her online was “very difficult”, she said.“My family and I, but especially my family, were subjected to some absolutely awful sectarian abuse. I was disappointed, because as a country I thought we had moved on from that.
“As a country, there needs to be a greater understanding of others and other traditions in this country,” said Ms Humphreys, who served as a TD for Cavan/Monaghan, holding several Cabinet roles.
Some of her canvassers received “some of those horrible remarks”, she told Northern Sound radio before she left to head for the formal results declaration in Dublin Castle: “They didn’t really tell me too much about it, to be honest with you.
“I have been talking to people from the unionist community in Northern Ireland, and they have seen some of the stuff that has been said. And I think there’s a kind of a sense of, you know, if that’s what they put you through, Heather, what hope have the rest of us?
Ms Humphreys said the abuse was what hurt most during the campaign, highlighting she has “contested many elections and that never happened to me before”.
“So that is disappointing. But, nevertheless, the majority of the decent people of this country, I know they don’t think that way,” she said.
“ I really did think we’d moved on from that, because you know me ... I will work and get on with all communities. I’m happy to go into a GAA club or a church hall, and my religion or my tradition was never an issue,” she went on.
Saying that she was feeling well and was glad she had contested the election, she said: “The first thing I want to say is congratulations to Catherine. We’re very, very fortunate to live in a democracy.
“And when Catherine takes office, she’ll be a president for all of us. And she will be my president, And I really want to wish her every success. And I want to wish her well,” she declared.
The two, she said, had spoken privately on the margins of one of the television debates: “We’re both agreed that whatever the outcome, the two of us would have a gin and tonic ... We’re both partial to a gin and tonic.”
The support of her constituency, who voted two-to-one in her favour, is deeply appreciated, she said: “I have to say I’m very touched that the people of Cavan and Monaghan have stood by me.
“They’re the people that know me best. And that does mean a huge amount to me. And they’re the people that I’ll go out to do the shopping with. And they’re the people I’ll meet on the street. And they’re the people that I’ll meet when I’m at events.
“I want to thank them sincerely for the trust that they have put in me once again. It didn’t work out this time. But what would I say? Maybe if the rest of the country knew me as well as the people of Cavan and Monaghan, I would have done better,” she said.
