When the history books reflect on the presidential election of 2025, we’ll no doubt discuss the numbers. The €3,300 of overpaid rent that Jim Gavin failed to return to a former tenant turned a three-strong race into a two-woman shoot-out. And shoot-out it has become.

Throughout the last week, shots have been fired from the Humphreys’ homestead to the Connolly camp, and vice versa. Connolly’s work as a barrister has been called into question with retorts about Humphreys’ character.

There is no doubt things have gotten personal, but these two voices aren’t the only ones that have set the tone of this campaign. From politicians to commentators, the opinion microphone has been on full blast – and yes, I understand the irony in me writing this column.

It seems as the years go by, the presidential campaigns become more and more toxic, and it’s worrying where it will all go. The pressure that these candidates are under, how many of us would actually withstand that level of scrutiny? When we vote for a president, we are voting for the person that best represents the nation. But sooner or later, if things continue on the trajectory that they’re on, the very best citizens in the nation will look at these toxic campaigns, and come up with only one conclusion: why would I bother? That’s the worry. There is a danger we’re going to poison the well, and that’s not what we want.

The thing is, whatever way you’re planning on voting this weekend, we should have respect for both women; for the public service they are giving. And even the other candidate, Jim Gavin or those who tried to get on ballot paper like Maria Steen and Gareth Sheridan, you have to respect that they put themselves out there into the public eye, to be scrutinised in pursuit of a prestigious role.

Do your research and stick to the facts. Focus on the candidate that best reflects your ideas and opinions

When the three candidates were announced – Catherine Connolly, Jim Gavin and Heather Humphreys – we invited all of them to our Women & Agriculture conference, which takes place this Thursday 23 October in the Radisson Hotel in Sligo. With over 500 women in one room on the day before the election, it is an opportunity to speak to those who have an influential voice within their farming families and rural communities. The invitation was accepted by one of the candidates, Heather Humphreys.

Therefore, Heather will be interviewed on stage at our conference. She will be asked her opinion on some of the areas that directly impact women and rural dwellers, as well as being given the opportunity to express her vision for the presidency, should she be successful.

But whether you’re listening to Heather Humphreys or reading about Catherine Connolly’s plans, the key message as we enter the last few hours of this campaign, is to block out the noise, ignore all the mud-throwing and caustic commentary. Do your research and stick to the facts. Focus on the candidate that best reflects your ideas and opinions. We are lucky to live in a democratic state, we’re seeing all over the world just how fragile democracy really is. So most importantly, use your vote, it is a privilege as a citizen of a free country and your civic duty.