Johnny to continue the Healy-Rae political dynasty

A FATHER and son yesterday sat side-by-side in a council chamber, ensuring the continuation of the Healy-Rae political dynasty into a third generation.

Johnny Healy-Rae, 26, was one of four new members co-opted to Kerry County Council, in Tralee, to replace four former members recently elected to Dáil Eireann.

Proposed by his father, Danny (Ind), Johnny fills the seat formerly held by his uncle, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, in the Killorglin Electoral Area.

The new councillor’s mother, Eileen, his grandfather, former TD Jackie Healy-Rae, and members of the extended family were in the crowded public gallery to witness the occasion.

The eldest in a family of six, Johnny works in the family business, which includes farming and civil engineering contracting.

His co-option was seconded by Sinn Féin councillor Toireasa Ferris who said she had “huge respect” for Michael Healy-Rae.

The new councillor needed little introduction as he has been involved in politics since childhood and often attended meetings in the same chamber with his grandfather.

Danny Healy-Rae said his son was following a tradition begun by his grandfather in 1973, when he was co-opted to the council as a Fianna Fáil member.

Indicating the new councillor had the Healy-Rae work ethic, Danny said: “He’s not like George Lee — if the phone rings he’ll have to answer it.”

Danny paid tribute to his grandfather, claiming he was “always ahead of the (political) opposition and always able to hold them at bay”.

Also co-opted to the council was Killarney building contractor John Joe Culloty, who takes the Fianna Fáil seat left vacant by Tom Fleming, following his election to the Dáil as an Independent.

As Mr Fleming was elected a FF councillor in 2009, it fell to FF to nominate his successor on the council for the Killarney Electoral Area.

Tralee legal secretary Gillian Wharton-Slattery was co-opted onto the Labour seat previously held by Arthur J Spring, newly-elected deputy for Kerry North. She also replaces Mr Spring as mayor of Tralee.

The Fine Gael seat for Dingle Electoral Area, formerly held by Brendan Griffin TD, was filled by his first cousin, Matt Griffin.

All the co-options went through without opposition, in accordance with a time-honoured tradition.

Some of the new councillors had never attended a council meeting and had not even been in the chamber prior to yesterday.

They got a full initiation to the job, including a tour from county manager Tom Curran.

Mr Curran also urged the six Kerry TDs to leave party politics aside and to work together, in Dublin, for the benefit of the county.