German TV to film Healy-Rae’s rural ‘passion’

The county councillor who campaigned for a relaxation of drink-driving laws for rural Ireland has become a global phenomenon.

German TV station Spiegel is spending four days with Danny Healy-Rae to document his “passion” and support for rural dwellers.

International interest in the Kerryman grew after some council colleagues backed a motion to raise the legal alcohol limit for motorists in isolated areas “driving with two or three pints at a slow speed”.

TV reporter Roman Lehberger said: “Danny Healy-Rae’s proposal has spilled over internationally. On the one side, it sounds ludicrous but, if you look deeper, he has a point.”

A three-man Hamburg-based TV crew also captured Mr Healy-Rae’s contributions at yesterday’s monthly meeting of the county council.

Mr Lehberger said he was impressed by Mr Healy-Rae and, particularly, his passion about representing rural people.

“He acts as a counterweight to more densely populated areas and, through him, rural people feel they have a voice,” said Mr Lehberger.

The independent councillor said international interest had not abated. To date, four German TV channels had interviewed him, along with interest from Chile, Italy, Spain, and France.

Mr Healy-Rae said Chileans in particular had identified with his call for people “to have a few pints and drive on quiet rural roads”.

The motion calling for special derogation for rural drivers, including tractor drivers, to allow them to have two or three drinks was narrowly passed at a council meeting in January. Most councillors abstained.

The strict drink-driving laws were leading to isolation and, in some cases, this was a factor in suicide, Mr Healy-Rae claimed.

Fine Gael councillor Bobby O’Connell strongly supported the motion. Rural isolation was “big problem”, he said. “People are afraid to go out.”

The justice department, among others, firmly rejected the call.