‘He fought tooth and nail for the people he loved’

Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern joined in a host of tributes to the former Independent TD, Jackie Healy-Rae, who died yesterday aged 83 following a protracted illness.

The cliché, “larger than life”, was used by many people to describe the colourful politician, who represented Kerry South in the Dáil from 1997 to 2011 and was a county councillor for 30 years. He was also, in turn, a farmer, musician, hurler, publican, heavy- machinery driver, a wit, and storyteller.

Along with other independents, Mr Healy-Rae supported three Fianna Fáil-led governments and did deals with Mr Ahern in return for a package of funds for roads, farming, housing, and health issues in his constituency. One of the roads deals was reported to be worth €70m.

Mr Ahern said he enjoyed the man who came to personify grassroots politics, saying he was passionate about everything to do with Kerry.

“He was a great friend and very loyal. He never forgot his constituency and fought tooth and nail for the people he loved,” he said.

Mr Ahern said packages agreed with Mr Healy-Rae — who broke from Fianna Fáil to run as an independent in 1997 — were important to him and related to essential infrastructure for the constituency.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said he was always very fond of Mr Healy-Rae. He said: “He captured the imagination of the people of Kerry and across Ireland with his storytelling and his sheer determination to improve services in South Kerry.”

Kerry County Council chairman John Brassil, of Fianna Fáil, said Mr Healy-Rae did a huge amount of work for his constituents and was both a legend and a character.

“He had huge intelligence, along with tremendous wit and humour, but he was a man who had a kind word for everyone, and left a lasting impression on everyone he met,” Mr Brassil added.

Minister of State for the Diaspora, Jimmy Deenihan, of Fine Gael, said Mr Healy-Rae was committed to the people that he represented and brought his love of politics and Kerry together.

Many Healy-Rae supporters — who gathered last night in one of his favourite Killarney haunts, the Fáilte Hotel, owned by his close friends, the O’Callaghan family — were in tears.

Former Killarney town councillor Niall O’Callaghan said he was an honest and hard-working politician who left his mark, adding: “People up the country didn’t realise how good and how cute he was. He was very effective in the constituency.”

A huge turnout is expected for the funeral of the father-of-six, who will be waked at the family public house in Kilgarvan where a rosary will be said at 9pm tonight.

His remains will repose in the bar from 4pm to 8pm tomorrow, followed by removal to St Patrick’s Church, Kilgarvan. Requiem Mass will be at noon on Monday, with burial afterwards in the local cemetery.