Irish President Catherine Connolly faces criticism after a photograph taken during a Belfast visit this week circulated publicly. According to reports, Connolly is pictured standing alongside Mary McArdle. The backlash centers on McArdle’s alleged links to the IRA, with at least one outlet stating she was part of an IRA gang involved in the death of Mary Travers. The criticism focuses on Connolly’s appearance beside McArdle in the image, which critics interpret as politically or symbolically inappropriate given the historical context. Neither outlet’s brief reports indicate that the photo was staged or provide details on any official response, the circumstances of the meeting, or the extent of Connolly’s knowledge of McArdle’s background at the time. Both sources describe the same core incident: the Belfast photo featuring Connolly and McArdle, followed by public backlash over McArdle’s alleged IRA involvement.