Fergus Finlay: O’Malley is due our respect, so it’s a pity what befell the party he started

We all owe a debt to his courage and integrity, but the country is still recovering from the rightward lurch initiated by the PDs

Des O’Malley speaking at the Progressive Democrats’ national conference at the South Court Hotel, Limerick, for his final time as a TD, in 2002. Picture: Kieran Clancy

I NEVER voted for Des O’Malley or his candidates, never supported his politics, never wanted to see him win. But, with hand on heart, I have to say that he was always a truly admirable politician.

I got to know him very slightly in later life, and (somewhat to my surprise) I found him thoroughly likeable. In political debate, he was always abrasive — never looking for quarter nor giving any. In person, he was affable, warm, and funny.