Francie the farmer becomes German sensation

A retired Kerry farmer has become an unlikely celebrity following his appearance on a German television programme on the controversy stirred by Danny Healy-Rae’s call for a relaxation of drink-driving laws for rural people.

Francie Casey, a customer of Healy-Rae’s public house in Kilgarvan, appeared on Spiegel TV sitting on a high stool in the pub, sipping a pint of stout at his dead ease.

“Was I on television?” he declared, feigning surprise at the question when contacted by the Irish Examiner. Francie, in his late 60s and from the Glenflesk area, is not the sort of man who looks for media exposure.

He said he hadn’t seen the programme, viewed by an estimated 2m Germans on Sunday night and since become an internet hit, and was non-committal when asked if he would bother to watch it on the internet.

The three-minute segment was based on Cllr Danny Healy-Rae’s proposal that gardaí should issue permits to rural dwellers that would allow them drive home along certain quiet roads after drinking two or three pints.

While Francie didn’t appear that interested in the programme overall, he was quick to counter a “mistaken” impression that he told the programme-makers people should be allowed drive after taking three or four pints.

“One or two is enough — people should go away about their business after that and no more about it,” he said.

The programme attempted to portray Francie as a stereotypical Irishman with a trademark jaunty hat and having a sociable drink and a song.

But Francie, who has always worn a hat and enjoyed a pint, sees himself as just another typical country person.

Following up on the international publicity generated by Mr Healy-Rae’s proposal, the television crew spent three days in Kerry in May, capturing the bearded councillor in his various roles, including a close-up of his pub.

Mr Healy-Rae, meanwhile, yesterday denied seeking publicity for himself, or that he placed the drink-driving motion before Kerry County Council to grab headlines.

He said he made the proposal because he was approached by people in Barraduff, Co Kerry, who were concerned about people committing suicide because they were drinking too much at home.

“Rather than drinking unregulated amounts of alcohol at home, would they not be better off to come to the pub and have two or three drinks and face the rigours of the law if they go beyond that?” he asked.

Rural isolation was a major issue, Mr Healy-Rae added, claiming that only wanted to help people who were “totally isolated” in rural areas.

“Someone has to represent the minority of people who are suffering,” he said.

Mr Healy-Rae stressed that his proposed permits would not allow people drive on national roads after a few drinks, but on specified minor roads with very little traffic and at low speeds.