‘Mayor Bertie Ahern’ seems increasingly unlikely

THE stunning collapse of Fianna Fáil’s vote in the Dublin Central by-election may have ruined Bertie Ahern’s chances of becoming Dublin Mayor.

Thanks to Mr Ahern’s legendary political machine and his popularity as taoiseach, Fianna Fáil secured 44.45% of the first-preference vote in Dublin Central in the 2007 general election.

This was largely regarded as a personal vote for Mr Ahern, and his transfers helped an extremely weak candidate, Cyprian Brady, squeeze over the line to win a second seat for Fianna Fáil in the constituency.