John Bruton: Haughey was sometimes visionary but often dodged responsibility with surprising timidity

In second-order things, Charles Haughey was a very imaginative policy maker. But on the big things, he often dodged responsibility, and showed a degree of timidity that sat very uneasily beside his carefully cultivated public image

Charlie Haughey walks towards Republic of Ireland fans at the Italia 90 World Cup. Picture: INPHO/Billy Stickland

Charles Haughey’s childhood was marked by the illness and financial tribulations of his Derry-born father, a retired army officer and IRA veteran, Johnny Haughey.

Johnny Haughey was on the run in the South Derry countryside for much of 1920/1 and this may have permanently damaged his health.