Method of bringing Fianna Fáil back to power leaves Micheál Martin exposed in a crisis

The current Taoiseach's comeback story may finish its final chapter before the end of 2027, writes Mick Clifford

Micheál Martin came to politics young, running for the city council in 1985, having barely completed his third-level education. Unlike Jack Lynch, his entry to politics was at the ground floor rather than through fame achieved on the sporting field. Picture: Fianna Fáil/PA

The man from Cork had a huge win against the odds. “The biggest comeback since Lazarus,” according to RTÉ’s political correspondent.

He had laboured in the fields of opposition, attempting to come out from under the shadow of illustrious predecessors. Huddled with his closest advisers, he crafted an election campaign that saw him returned to the office of Taoiseach.