Presidential Election 2025

The Mahon Tribunal

found that former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern failed to "truthfully" explain source of money and it rejected his evidence of "dig-outs", and that former EU commissioner Pádraig Flynn "wrongly and corruptly" sought donation from Tom Gilmartin.[6] It stated that a decision in 1992 by Pat Rabbitte, then a Democratic Left TD, to return a donation of IR£2,000 to Frank Dunlop was "commendable and correct".[16]

Five councillors are specifically named as having received corrupt payments. These are Fianna Fáil councillors Tony Fox, Colm McGrath, Don Lydon and G. V. Wright; and Fine Gael's Tom Hand.[20]

It established that Davy Stockbrokers, throughout the 1980s and 1990s, made a series of payments to the corrupt politician Liam Lawlor.[21]

…

After the publication of the final report, Fianna Fáil sought to expel any of its members that were found to have received corrupt payments. Bertie Ahern, Pádraig Flynn, G. V. Wright, Don Lydon, Finbarr Hanrahan and John Hannon all resigned from Fianna Fáil before they could be expelled.

[24]

 Fine Gael Councillor Anne Devitt said she was stepping aside from her party, while it carries out its own internal inquiries into the tribunal's findings.

[24]

When his parents moved to Clondalkin 'there were green fields on the banks of the canal'

He is clearly talking about what happened after the 70's.

Not for me to be questioned on what he meant, let's see what Jim has to say when he is questioned. I don't think 'It was all George's fault' is going to be an acceptable answer.

Doesn't strike me as somebody particularly interested in the role.

Heather humphries pretty poor on the news at one just now imo. Maybe she's just a bit rusty after her rest from politics. Certainly wouldn't be a shoe in based on that interview.

John McNulty was the guy's name.

She never interviewed particularly well and that was poor tbh.

Reading about Eoin “the Pope” O’Mahony who attempted to get council nominations in 1966 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eoin_O%27Mahony_%28politician%29

an Irish barrister, local councillor, and genealogist. He was well known as a "wit, raconteur, [and] fighter for hopeless causes

the only other person before Dana to attempt (and succeed) to gain the required nominations was https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_McCartan

In what way does it present anyone with a veto?

It is an FF problem not an SF problem. Martin, not Gavin, seems to be the one being challenged. Both the Indo and the Business Post had articles on this. Some in FF who owe their ministerial positions to Martin have backed Gavin. Other FFers have not. Kelleher has gained the necessary support to force an selection contest. John Deasy (former FG minister) thinks that it could become a ballot on Martin's leadership.

The failure by Martin to impose his candidate without a vote has damaged his leadership. As would be expected, those who owe their positions to Martin backed his candidate. Other FF TDs, councillors and senators will be looking to the next election. Gavin, in the presidential election, has to remain ahead of Humphreys in votes. That might have been made somewhat easier by FG's selection of Humphreys over a proven vote magnet like Kelly. FG transfers could end up helping the FF candidate. The theory behind Gavin's imposition as FF candidate does tie in with what Martin has been saying for the last few months about FF endorsing an non-FF candidate. FG has doe the opposite and selected a candidate to replace McGuinness who is popular within FG. Gavin becoming a card-carrying FFer seems to be a concession to those who are challenging Martin's decision.

Heather interviewed on RTE covers housing, united ireland, mcnulty, animal abuse letter.

https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22541733/

But that's a sign of a democratic party tbf. Imposition means dictating. I'm sure he'd have been delighted with the whole party backing his candidate, but they didn't, much the same as the whole country won't vote for the same candidate, that's the democratic process. I d actually agree with you if all of the party joined in unison with him and just accepted Gavin with open arms. My reference to SF is the fact that we know nothing of who's interested in running, if anyone. A few who haven't ruled themselves out ok. But we nothing of the political process involved in their decision on whom if any are trying to get nominated for them. Lack of clarity on the process smacks more of imposition of a candidate than the democratic process FF are going through!"

I didn't think she did badly in it. She didn't excel in it either. It was a bit of a non event - which, for most politicians, is a win.

She doesn't come across as particularly personable but she doesn't come across as hateful either. She's an Irish version of John Major. Based on the current potential runners & riders, I can see her winning. But the campaign itself will likely through up a few gems that may change the narrative.

I think FF are chickening out by not choosing a FF politician.