Presidential candidate Jim Gavin has taken down a video from Instagram this morning in which he referenced receiving a call from a serving Defence Forces officer serving with UNIFIL in south Lebanon.
His campaign told RTÉ News this was done out of an "abundance of caution."
Mr Gavin yesterday removed a campaign promo video showing uniformed army personnel clapping as he participated in a road run for veterans.
He had already disclosed that the appropriate rules were not followed in two drone footage shoots – one at the run, and at the campaign launch in Dublin city.
In a statement today, his campaign said: "Out of an abundance of caution, we have removed the name referenced in the video.
"The Defence Forces is a non-political organisation. At no point was there an attempt to politicise anyone."
The statement added that Mr Gavin served in the Defence Forces for over 20 years and participated in the 10km run as he has done regularly over the years.
"For the avoidance of any doubt the name referenced has been removed. There is no security breach.
"The Defence Forces personnel serving on this UNIFIL mission are well identified and photographed by the media in advance of deployment, as well as during the mission," it added.
In a statement, Óglaigh na hÉireann said it is an "apolitical organisation".
"The An Cosantóir 10km Road Race and 5km Walk is open to all Permanent Defence Forces, Reserve Defence Forces, Department of Defence and Veterans.
"The video in question does not show members of the Defence Forces clapping Mr Gavin specifically.
"It is customary for spectators of the road race and walk to clap in all participants completing the final portion of the race or while crossing the finish line in recognition of their efforts," it said.
"Mr Jim Gavin completed the race on behalf of Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel."
Fine Gael's presidential election candidate Heather Humphreys said the Defence Forces must remain outside of politics and nothing should be done to "undermine" this position.
The former Cavan-Monaghan TD was asked about a photo of Jim Gavin and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces Rossa Mulcahy that has been deleted from the Fianna Fáil candidate's social media campaign platforms, and the video removed from Instagram.
"I just want to recognise first of all that the men and women of our Defense Forces serve us with distinction, and they are outside of politics, and we all recognise that they are not political in any way.
"I think it's important that we respect that independence," Ms Humphreys added.
Asked if she thought the Defence Forces had been politicised in this instance, she said: "Look, I just know that the Defense Forces are outside of politics, and I think that we must respect that and we shouldn't undermine that in any way."
Ms Humphreys is canvassing in Trim, Co Meath this morning. She paid a visit to the Swift Cultural Centre in the town this morning, a centre which she officially opened as Minister for Rural and Community Development in 2023.
Connolly defends work with woman convicted of gun crime
A woman who was convicted of a gun crime was "perfect for the job" working with an Oireachtas committee, presidential candidate Catherine Connolly has said.
It comes after The Journal reported yesterday that Ms Connolly sought the help of a woman who was sentenced to several years in jail after being found guilty by the Special Criminal Court for possession of firearms and ammunition more than ten years ago.
After serving more than four years, she was recruited by Ms Connolly upon her release to work on a committee on the Irish language.
Ms Connolly said she had no contact with gardaí in relation to the process, adding that nobody ever told her it was inappropriate for the woman to take up a role in Leinster House.
She said the woman left Leinster House before the outcome of a clearing process for a regular access pass, which went on for several months.
She told RTÉ Radio 1 it was "unfortunate" the woman was "being hauled through this".
"She served her time in prison and she was recommended to me – she was absolutely perfect for the job.
"I took her on, and it was for three days, and over the period of time, she from day one, she filled out an application form, explained everything and just the clearance process took some time, and in the end she left of her own volition," Ms Connolly said.
Additional reporting by PA
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