"I missed you all," Mary Hanafin gushed to reporters in the manner of a faded film star who had just glimpsed the limelight once more thanks to a cameo role in a B movie.

A dirty tricks campaign has been launched against former Education Minister Mary Hanafin in an bid to disrupt her attempt to win a local election seat in Blackrock, Co Dublin.

A former Fianna Fáil minister has urged Mary Hanafin to withdraw from council elections following a "farcical" campaign blunder.

Former Fianna Fáil deputy leader Mary Hanafin says she hopes to make a return to national politics but has criticised the current low support for the party ahead of May’s local and European elections.

Former Fianna Fail Minister Mary Hanafin has ruled out standing in this year's local or European elections.