Posted by 27/10/2025
Newly elected President Catherine Connolly has been called on to condemn a video posted by supporter and former MEP Mick Wallace.
In celebration of the election result on Saturday, Mr Wallace posted an AI-generated video of Ms Connolly wearing a Tricolour balaclava and a Palestinian keffiyeh and holding up an AK-47.
Mr Wallace wrote on X: ‘Irish Mainstream Media did their utmost to protect the Establishment and the interests of Western Imperialism as they tried to undermine Catherine Connolly’s Presidential bid. They failed…’
Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews described the AI video as ‘shocking’.
He told the Extra.ie: ‘Catherine Connolly has said she wants to unite the people and be a President for everybody, and he [Mr Wallace] thinks this is an appropriate way to mark the occasion.
‘It does raise a concern about what type of Presidency we are going to be dealing with. I would like to see the President [Catherine Connolly] condemning this.’
The Dublin MEP also took issue with left-wing former TD Mr Wallace’s comments about the Irish media.
‘Attempts to delegitimise the media – because it doesn’t align with your political outlook – is the tactic of Nigel Farage and Donald Trump,’ said Mr Andrews.
‘Unfortunately, it has led to harm to certain journalists and has undermined democracy.’
Who Watches the Watchers? 