Independent TD Lucinda Creighton yesterday borrowed a technology metaphor when announcing she is to launch a new political party in the spring. Exhibiting evangelical zeal, Ms Creighton declared: “We want to reboot Ireland and we want those who are as passionate about this country as we are to join us on this mission”.

Dr Garret FitzGerald was caricatured as something between a whiz kid and an absent-minded professor.

Charles Haughey’s family hope his private papers handed over to a university today will restore his standing as political giant – but the public will have to wait until 2022 to see them.

BERNIE Murphy caused a political sensation in June 1985 when he was elected an independent on Cork City Council, representing the north-central ward.