Where to now for Renua?

While we desperately need more diversity in Irish politics, Eddie Hobbs’ decision to leave Renua may mean that the party is over, writes Political Editor Daniel McConnell

On a balmy June 2009 evening, the great and the good of the Progressive Democrats got together to wake the party, which was being wound up after a quarter of a century.

In front of an assembled crowd, which included many of the party’s leading figures, such as Mary Harney, Bobby Molly, Michael McDowell, and Liz O’Donnell, founder and first leader Des O’Malley was scathing in his criticism of modern politics in Ireland.