OUTGOING CEANN Comhairle John O’Donoghue was lauded last night in parts of his Kerry South constituency, where he is held in high regard.
“John is a good man who was brought down by the media and political establishment in Dublin,” said one long-time supporter in the Fertha bar in his native Caherciveen. “In the name of God, how many ministers during Bertie Ahern’s time lived the high life? Look, we were all at it, if the truth were told. John did a lot for this town and constituency.”
Sources close to O’Donoghue confirmed he intended to contest the next general election in the constituency.
“He is down but he is not out,” said one. “The O’Donoghue name is big in south Kerry. He will pave the way for his son, Michael Pat, who is already active in the local organisation,” said the source.
Throughout Kerry South, the word is that O’Donoghue did a huge amount of work for his constituents. The GAA clubs and other organisations point to a minister who kept the home fires burning when he was in power and in charge of Lottery funds.
“He was a man who might have enjoyed himself a little too much,” said a Killorglin constituent. “But, so what? I met him one time at Puck Fair and I found him the nicest of men. I suppose he got caught up in the high life.”
Fianna Fáil county councillor Michael Cahill, who lives in Rossbeigh, was more circumspect. “John O’Donoghue probably lived a lavish lifestyle, but he has done nothing wrong,” he said. “He was a good minister who delivered to his Kerry South constituency.”
Those critical of O’Donoghue were reluctant to go on the record yesterday, observing a Kerry omerta for one of their own who was in trouble. “There will be a time for criticising John,” said a Killarney constituent and supporter. “But it is not now. The man is down and there is sympathy for him and his family.”
O’Donoghue supporters remember his mother, the late Kerry county councillor Mary O’Donoghue, who built a local base for her son’s Dáil seat.
“Mary was a quiet and very nice woman,” said a long-term Fianna Fáil activist. “She was a hugely popular figure, who did a great amount of work for the people of south Kerry. John secured his Dáil seat because of her.”
The work of O’Donoghue’s mother is legendary throughout their native Iveragh Peninsula.
“She was widowed at a young age and she reared a family of high-achieving professionals. I don’t know where John got his high and mighty ideas,” said a Fianna Fáil activist.
Supporters in the Kerry South constituency acknowledge that O’Donoghue was a hard-working minister in the past, who kept a close eye on constituency matters.
“Did he not bring the Legal Aid Board to his home town of Caherciveen when he was minister for justice? It gave us a big boost at a difficult time,” said one local supporter.
O’Donoghue is married to Kate Anne Murphy, daughter of the late Labour TD for Cork South West, Michael Pat Murphy.
“I have met John and his wife at the races,” said a local supporter. “Kate Anne loves the horse racing as much as John. She is sometimes more engrossed in it than he is.”
In the Kerry South constituency, the talk is of a changed political scenario, with the reality that it will be a three-seater again.
This gives a strong chance to Independent county councillor Michael Healy-Rae, son of Jackie Healy Rae TD.
“There is a Fine Gael seat which is held by Tom Sheehan, a Fianna Fáil seat,” said a local activist.
“But I don’t think that John would be re-elected if there was an election soon.”