Healy-Rae hands over council seat to son

THE father figure might be retiring from local politics, but the Healy-Rae dynasty lives on.

After serving for 30 years on Kerry County Council, Jackie Healy-Rae handed over his seat to his son Danny Healy-Rae

yesterday. However, there were strong indications the 72-year-old colourful TD may seek re-election to the council in the future. Mr Healy-Rae was first elected in the Killarney Electoral Area in 1974, after being co-opted in 1973, topping the poll on his first outing as a Fianna Fáil councillor. In 1999, as an Independent, he topped the poll again, 1,200 votes clear of the quota and of his nearest rival, Cllr Tom Fleming (FF).

His son, Cllr Michael Healy-Rae, who represents the Killorglin area on Kerry County Council, said it was both a sad and a happy day for the family.

“Don’t rule out his coming back here as an elected member,” said Michael Healy-Rae. If the intention of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour and the bigger parties was “to weaken the base of the Independents” with the ending of the dual mandate, it would not work with the Healy-Rae organisation, said Danny Healy-Rae, 48, in his inaugural speech.

“We now have an extra man,” he said of his co-option to replace his father because of the ending of the dual mandate”, he said.

. He was particularly proud of his father's “never say die” attitude, he said. Planning issues, the cutting of hedges on country roads, and cheaper insurance would be among his priorities.

Warm tributes were paid to Jackie Healy-Rae and his unique style of delivery by councillors and officials.