Cowen bid to prop up O’Donoghue in the chair was simply grotesque

He was renowned for politicised grant-giving as Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism. There is little evidence of personal humility throughout his political career. His penchant for luxury was exceptional and unsustainable. He doesn’t deserve sympathy or victim status because he milked the system

DÁIL history was made this week. Never before has a Ceann Comhairle been forced out of office. This has been the culmination of a summer of revelations about several years of lavish living. John O’Donoghue has been the butt of ridicule over recent months: ‘Johnny Cash’, ‘Johnny Junket’ and ‘Elton John’. He has been characterised as the Bull that wouldn’t budge. He is the author of his own misfortune and downfall.

The final stages of his resignation were a humiliation. From the moment Eamon Gilmore dispatched the statement at 5.38pm on Sunday week he was doomed. He misunderstood the temporary easing of pressure upon him as a softening of attitude. Instead it was simply to allow him time voluntarily to resign with a semblance of dignity. For months he refused to answer any questions about his ministerial extravagance because his office was above party politics. In clinging to office he lobbied Fianna Fáil and the Greens to vote down an opposition vote of confidence.