Concern over health of Jackie Healy-Rae

There is concern for the health of former Independent TD Jackie Healy-Rae who was readmitted to hospital earlier this week.

The 83-year-old retired politician, who has been ill since April, was recently discharged from Killarney Community Hospital, but was admitted to Kerry General Hospital, Tralee, on Monday.

His son, Danny, an Independent member of Kerry County Council, yesterday said the family were concerned about his condition.

“He is very unwell at present and we’re hoping he will get better,’’ Mr Healy-Rae said.

“He is receiving great care in Kerry General Hospital, as he did in Killarney Community Hospital, and everything possible is being done for him.’’

Jackie Healy-Rae, from Kilgarvan, Co Kerry, was a deputy for Kerry South from 1997 to 2011 when he was succeeded by his son Michael.

The founder of one of the country’s best-known political dynasties, now in a third generation, he left his hospital bed to vote in the local elections, last May.

He also closely monitored the elections to Kerry County Council in which his son, Danny, and grandson, Johnny, both topped the poll in their respective electoral areas.