The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
No return for former Ceann Comhairle
FORMER Justice Minister and Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue will not be making a political comeback after he withdrew his name from the forthcoming Fianna Fáil Convention due to take place in Waterville next Monday.
The political heavyweight had been nominated for the convention by five supporters last month, creating a political furore in what will be the newly formed Kenmare Electoral Area. His nomination had sparked major interest locally, particularly as sitting councillor Norma Moriarty, who is on the party’s General Election ticket, is drawing from a similar voter base.
Meanwhile, there was news concerning another political dynasty as Michael Healy Rae’s son, Jackie Jnr, has confirmed he is to stand in the Castleisland Electoral Area
If successful, he will be the sixth family member to have taken political office.
JACKIE Healy-Rae Junior has declared his candidacy for the 2019 local elections where he will contest the new four-seater Castleisland Constituency.
If elected, Jackie (23) would become the sixth member of the Healy Rae dynasty to hold political office and would join his cousins Maura and Johnny at council level, with his father, Michael, and uncle Danny servingintheDáil.
Jackie has worked as a parliamentary assistant with his father Deputy Michael HealyRae for the past five years. In a statement issued by Jackie, he said the task before him is no easy one and that he knows his ‘back will be very much to the wall’ in trying to win a seat. However, he believes he is the ideal candidate to fight for a seat.
“I am very honoured to be a candidate for the Healy-Raes in 2019. This is something that from a very young age I have always wanted to pursue and I am delighted to now be getting the chance to put myself before the electorate. I will be doing everything I possibly can between here and next May to ensure I do my best to win a seat,” Jackie said.
The former Rose of Tralee escort said there has been no shortage of teachers when it comes to politics during his lifetime. He also described the experience gained working with his father as invaluable.
“From dealing with constituents on a daily basis, doing clinics both with my father and on my own, knowing the issues and how to deal with them, name but a few things has really given me a better education then anyone could hope to learn from in any college,” he said.
“I can’t really even think about that as there is a long road ahead of me and the people will have their say and it is ultimately their decision, so I won’t even dare to dream about it. But obviously it would be a massive achievement,” he added.
Speaking about his son’s decision to contest a seat, Michael said he hopes that people in the Castleisland area will be willing to give him an opportunity.
“As I have always said in the past, if people give a person a chance, it is then up to themselves to show that they have the work ethic and the interest in the issues on the ground at heart and people can decide subsequently then as to what they think of that person capabilities. I wish him every good luck in his endeavours in trying to get elected to Kerry County Council,” Michael said.
The news comes a week after outgoing Cllr John Joe Culloty said his decision not to run in next May’s election paves the way for a Healy-Rae ‘seat grab’; a view Deputy Danny Healy-Rae strongly refutes.
“I don’t know what Cllr Culloty is on about as we have never taken any seat for granted. We’ll be contesting this seat the same way we have always done, by meeting people and working hard for it,” Danny said.