Elaine Loughlin: Labour's AK47 drawn back into position of power

Never afraid to stir the pot, Alan Kelly was among the most vocal during the turbulent initial days of the Dáil — when members of the opposition vented fury over the speaking time debacle

One Labour Party member described Alan Kelly as being ‘constructed’ to be a TD, although he hates being reminded of his now infamous 2016 ‘power is a drug’ interview. File Picture: Niall Carson/PA

After a fallow period in the political wilderness, AK47 is back.

Abrasive, polarising, and an exceptional political operator — in a return to form — Alan Kelly has gained more attention and grabbed more headlines in recent weeks than Labour’s actual leader.